ジョコビッチが豪到着　追放から約１年ぶり

【シドニーＡＦＰ＝時事】男子テニスのノバク・ジョコビッチ（セルビア）が２７日、新型コロナウイルスワクチンの未接種をめぐり国外退去させられてからおよそ１年ぶりにオーストラリアへ入った。オーストラリアテニス協会が明かした。（写真は男子テニスのノバク・ジョコビッチ）
　全豪オープンを９回制しているジョコビッチは今年１月、ワクチンの接種状況を理由に、滞在許可を求めた法廷闘争に敗れてオーストラリアから追放され、３年間の入国禁止となった。
　しかし政府はその後、入国要件として定めていたワクチン接種証明書の提出義務を廃止。１１月にはジョコビッチの入国禁止処分解除を発表し、来月開幕する新シーズンの四大大会（グランドスラム）初戦、全豪オープン出場に向けたビザ（査証）を発給した。
　オーストラリアテニス協会のクレイグ・タイリー最高経営責任者（ＣＥＯ）は、報道陣に対して「われわれは彼のオーストラリア帰還を歓迎する」と話し、地元ファンがジョコビッチを受け入れることを期待するとコメント。「オーストラリア市民についても大きな自信を持っている。ファンがわれわれの望むような反応を見せてくれる自信が十分にある」と語った。
　ジョコビッチは全豪オープンの前哨戦として、来月１日から始まるアデレード国際１に出場する予定となっている。【翻訳編集ＡＦＰＢＢＮｅｗｓ】
〔ＡＦＰ＝時事〕（2022/12/28-11:35）

Former world number one Novak Djokovic arrived in Australia on Tuesday almost one year after he was deported for refusing to be vaccinated against Covid-19, tennis officials said.
The nine-time Australian Open champion was initially banned from the country for three years after losing a high-stakes legal battle in January over his vaccine status.
Australia has since lifted its requirement for visitors to show proof of vaccination against Covid.
The government confirmed in November that the unvaccinated Serb was no longer barred and had been granted a visa allowing him to play in the opening Grand Slam of the year, 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 confirmed that Djokovic had touched down.
Djokovic, who has won 21 Grand Slams, has been criticised for his part in the saga, which played out as rolling anti-vaccination protests took place in Australia's major cities.
He is scheduled to play in the Adelaide International, beginning Sunday, as he warms up for the Open in Melbourne.
Over the years I've been really fortunate to start very strong in Australia and I love playing there, the world number five said in Dubai last week after ending 2022 with a record-equalling sixth ATP Tour Finals crown.
After obviously what happened earlier this year, hopefully I can have a decent reception there and hopefully that can help me play some good tennis.
Djokovic last set foot in Australia nearly a year ago, claiming he had obtained a medical exemption to enter the country without being vaccinated because he had recently recovered from Covid-19.
However, Australian border officials said he did not meet the requirements to be exempted from strict vaccination rules and he was detained for five days while pursuing an ultimately fruitless legal appeal.