The nine-time Australian Open champion was initially banned from leaving the country for three years after ending a high-profile legal battle in January over his vaccination status.

Former world number one Novak Djokovic arrived in Australia on Tuesday almost a year after he was expelled for refusing a Covid-19 shot, tennis officials said. The nine-time Australian Open champion was initially banned from leaving the country for three years after ending a high-profile legal battle in January over his vaccination status.

Australia has raised the requirement for visitors to show proof of a Covid vaccination. The government confirmed in November that the unprovoked Serbian was not banned and was given a visa allowing him to play in the year-opening Grand Slam, which starts next month.

Tennis Australia chief executive Craig Tiley said he hoped local fans would embrace Djokovic's return. "We welcome him back to Australia," he told reporters.

"I think as we speak he's landing in Adelaide and I think that he is going to be again the player to beat. I have a great deal of confidence in the Australian public. I have a lot of confidence that the fans will react how we hope they will react."

Tennis Australia has confirmed that Djokovic has arrived. Djokovic, who won 21 Grand Slams, has been criticized for his role in the saga, which comes as anti-vaccination protests are taking place in the Australian capital.

He will play at the Adelaide International, starting on Sunday, as he prepares for the Melbourne Open. "Over the years, I've been lucky enough to really start in Australia and I love playing there," the world number five said in Dubai last week after finishing 2022 with his sixth crown, World Cup Finals.

"When it became clear what happened earlier this year, I hope I can get a good reception there and hopefully that can help me play tennis."

Djokovic set foot in Australia almost a year ago, saying he was given medical clearance to enter the country without vaccinations as he had recently recovered from Covid-19.

However, Australia's border authorities said he did not qualify for an exemption from strict vaccination rules and detained him for five days while pursuing an unsuccessful legal challenge.