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Tennis superstar Novak Djokovic is hopeful his three-year ban on entering Australia will be lifted with Anthony Albanese now leading the federal government.
The Serbian world No.1, 35, was sensationally banned from competing at the 2022 Australian Open in January and deported by then Immigration Minister Alex Hawke due to being unvaccinated against Covid-19.
Under Australia's immigration laws, Djokovic cannot be granted another visa for three years - unless 'compelling grounds' see authorities backflip on the decision, which generated global headlines.
With Albanese the new Prime Minister, the outcome could potentially change.
'In terms of the government, yes, I heard the news,' Djokovic said.
'But I don't know anything about whether my visa is going to be reinstated or whether I'm going to be allowed to come back to Australia.
Tennis superstar Novak Djokovic is hopeful his three-year ban of entering Australia will be lifted by the new Federal government (pictured, on January 16 when he was deported)
The 35-year-old is aware that Anthony Albanese is the new PM and if given the opportunity, 'would love' to see his ban quashed and again compete at Melbourne Park from 2023 onwards
'I would like to go there and play the Australian Open (in 2023). I don't hold any grudges.
'If I have an opportunity to go back, I would love to.'
After he was initially granted access to Australia in early January, Djokovic was then detained at Melbourne Airport for nine hours.
It soon emerged he was given the green light by Tennis Australia to travel from Europe with a pre-tournament exemption to take the court at Melbourne Park - despite his vaccination status being clouded.
On January 5, Djokovic's visa was cancelled, with the Australian Border Force announcing the player 'failed to provide appropriate evidence to meet the entry requirements for Australia'.
When Djokovic's legal team won a subsequent appeal five days later allowing the Serb to compete, Immigration Minister Hawke intervened.
In his native Serbia, government officials and the general public were outraged with the way Novak Djokovic (pictured, with wife Jelena) was treated by authorities in Australia throughout his vaccination saga in January
He cancelled Djokovic's visa on 'health and good order grounds, on the basis it was in the public interest
