Australian Open Chief Tiley welcomes potential Djokovic return but decision out of their hands: "It's not a matter we can lobby on"

The head of the Australian Open, Craig Tiley has welcomed the potential return of Novak Djokovic to the tournament next year but refused to be drawn upon potentially helping the decision.

Djokovic was banned from entering Australia for three years after being deported in January however there has been a change in government and the latest administration has been more open to letting the Serbian return.

At an event marking the launch of the tournament in which Tiley also confirmed that Russians and Belarusians can play, he said that it's a matter for the government and not his team.

“The matter with Novak is direct between himself and the federal government,” The Australian Associated Press quoted Tiley as saying on Wednesday.

“They need to work out the situation and then we’ll follow any instruction after that.

“It’s not a matter we can lobby on. It’s a matter that definitely stays between the two of them and then depending on the outcome of that we would welcome him to the Australian Open.”

“He said that he’d love to come back to Australia, but he knows it’s going to be an ultimate decision for the federal government,” Tiley added.

“He’s accepted that position. It’s a private matter between them but we’d like to welcome Novak back – he’s a nine-time champion – provided he gets the right entry requirements into Australia.”