Could Novak Djokovic play in next year's Australian Open?

World No. 1 Novak Djokovic, arguably the greatest men's tennis player in history, learned over the weekend he cannot participate in the ongoing Australian Open and was deported from that country because he is unvaccinated against COVID-19. Djokovic will have to wait to attempt to win a record-setting 21st Grand Slam, but Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison told 2GB radio on Monday that the 34-year-old could be welcomed back to Australia next January even though he's technically banned from entering the country for a total of three years. 

"I'm not going to precondition any of that or say anything that would not enable the [immigration minister] to make the various calls he has to make," Morrison explained, according to Reuters (h/t ESPN). "It does go over a three-year period, but there is the opportunity for [a person] to return in the right circumstances, and that will be considered at the time."

Earlier this month, France sports minister Roxana Maracineanu said Djokovic and other unvaccinated players would be able to compete in this year's French Open set to begin in May. However, that was before France passed a law requiring individuals to show proof of vaccination to enter public places, including sporting venues. 

"This will apply to everyone who is a spectator or a professional sportsperson. And this until further notice," the French Sports Ministry said about that law Monday, per Julien Pretot and Shrivathsa Sridhar of Reuters. "As far as Roland Garros is concerned, it's in May. The situation may change between now and then and we hope it'll be more favorable. So we'll see but clearly there's no exemption."