Djokovic, who remains unvaccinated against COVID-19, was deported from Australia before last year's tournament when the previous administration cancelled his visa on grounds of public interest.

That would have meant the Serbian was unable to enter Australia for three years.

However, Giles has decided to revoke the cancellation decision, clearing Djokovic to return.

Australia no longer requires new arrivals to submit proof of their vaccination status, so Djokovic has been granted a temporary visa to enter Australia.

Djokovic said at the ongoing Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) Finals that he was "very happy" to be heading back to Australia.

The 35-year-old has won both of his ATP Finals matches in straight sets and appears in good form following a season where his playing opportunities were limited because of COVID-19 restrictions.

After having his Australian Open title defence derailed by deportation, Djokovic was eliminated from the French Open in the quarter-finals but then won Wimbledon to earn a 21st Grand Slam singles title.

That is one behind Spanish great Rafael Nadal's record of 22.

It was Nadal who beat Djokovic at Roland Garros this year.

Djokovic was not able to play in the US Open - or several other high-profile ATP Tour events in the United States - because American immigration rules still require travellers to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

The Australian Open is the major Djokovic has won more than any other, with nine titles to his name.

Djokovic had won the Australian Open three times in a row before falling foul of the country's COVID-19 policies last year.

Djokovic had initially been granted an exemption to play despite being unvaccinated - claiming he had had coronavirus less than a month before he landed in Australia - but it was revoked, with then-Immigration Minister Alex Hakwe arguing his presence could lead to "an increase in anti-vaccination sentiment".