Novak Djokovic wants to return to Australia if new Labor government allows

WATCH: Novak Djokovic's press conference following his third-round win

Novak Djokovic says he would like to return to Australia to play the Australian Open if the new government lifts his three-year prohibition from the country.

The coalition government led by Scott Morrison, which blocked Djokovic from playing the Australian Open in January, was defeated by the Labor Party a week ago in the Australian national election.

"In terms of the government, yes, I heard the news, but, I mean, I don't know anything about ... whether I'm going to be allowed to come back to Australia. I would like to. I would like to go there and play Australian Open," Djokovic told press following his third-round victory at the French Open.

The 35-year-old from Serbia had become the center of a national controversy leading into the Australian Open, with questions around whether he should have received a medical exemption to enter Australia since he is not vaccinated against coronavirus.

Eventually, Djokovic was ordered to leave the country by Australia's Minister of Immigration, Alex Hawke, a decision that carries with it a three-year ban against entry. The decision was appealed by Djokovic but upheld by an Australian court.

The penalty can be waived, with the Morrison government having indicated it would consider doing this to for subsequent Australian Opens. The position of the new government on the issue has not been established.

But Djokovic said that if allowed, he would compete again in Australia, where he has won the Grand Slam competition nine times.

"I don't hold any grudges,'' he said. "Look, you know, it was what it was. If I have an opportunity to go back to Australia and play a place where I made the biggest success in my career on Grand Slam, I would love to come back."

Through to the fourth round of the French Open, Djokovic is No. 1 in the rankings.