TURIN, Italy: Novak Djokovic confirmed Wednesday he has received a visa to travel to Melbourne to play in the 2023 Australian Open, after he was deported last January over his vaccine status.

鈥淚 was very happy to receive the news yesterday. It was a relief,鈥� the Serbian said after beating Andrey Rublev in the ATP Finals in Turin.

鈥淚t was a relief obviously knowing what I and people closest to me in my life have been through this year with what happened in Australia and post-Australia obviously. I could not receive better news for sure, during this tournament as well.鈥�

On Tuesday, Australian media reported that the government had decided to grant the unvaccinated Serbian a visa, overturning a three-year ban after his ejection from the country.

This year鈥檚 championship was overshadowed by nine-time Australian Open champion Djokovic being put on a plane on the eve of the contest after a high-stakes legal battle over his visa status.

鈥淎ustralian Open has been my most successful Grand Slam.鈥� said Djokovic. 鈥淚 made some of the best memories there.鈥�

Djokovic was speaking afer securing a spot in the semifinals of the season-ending Finals with a 6-4, 6-1 win over Rublev, his second straight sets victory in as many matches.

He said the news from Australia had been a boost.

鈥淒id it affect my game today? I would like to believe it did.鈥� he said.

鈥淜nowing that I have clarity now, what I do in the off-season, starting the season in Australia, also of course did relieve some of the pressure.鈥�

He shattered Rublev鈥檚 resistance in just a few games after taking the only break point either player had in the first set at 4-4.

Djokovic served out the set and then exploited Rublev鈥檚 frustration to break again early in the second as he went 3-0 ahead and cruised to victory.

鈥淥ne of the best matches I played this year, particularly in the second set. Just a flawless set really.鈥�

Having beaten Stefanos Tsitsipas in his first Red Group match on Monday, the Serb is guaranteed a spot in the last four regardless of his result on Friday against Daniil Medvedev.

鈥淚鈥檓 really glad to be through to the semis,鈥� he said. 鈥淎t the same time, I want to win that match, win every match that I play here.鈥�

Djokovic is ranked just eighth in the world in part because he missed tournaments, including the Australian Open and US Open, over his vaccination status.

鈥淭he upside of not playing many tournaments is that you鈥檙e going to be fresher than when you鈥檙e playing a lot more,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 had more time to train, to practice.鈥�

鈥淪ometimes I do wish, in the pro men鈥檚 tennis season, we have a bit more time to really have those training blocks to be a bit longer, so you can really work on your game and your body.鈥�

鈥淚鈥檓 also at the position I think now in my career where I鈥檓 able to choose which tournaments I play and where I want to peak, at what time of the season.鈥�