Novak Djokovic, the world’s 20th Grand Slam Winner, has caused quite a stir amongst in Australia and worldwide. He was expected to carry home the world record title of 21 Grand Slams after competing in the Australian Open. However, the controversy surrounding his visa application and Covid status left him tumbling with Australia’s government. This resulted in two court cases and now, a long plane ride home, following his deportation by the Australian government.
Monaco saw its first vaccine being rolled out on 31 December 2020. According to official data, 67% of the country’s population have received at least one dose of the vaccine – so why hasn’t Djokovic? Novak Djokovic had one year, give or take, to receive not one, not two, but three vaccines. So why didn’t he?
Novak Djokovic attended an interview with French sports newspaper, L’Equipe, on 18 December 2021, despite having knowingly tested positive for Covid.
“While I went home after the interview to isolate for the required period, on reflection, this was an error of judgment,” said the Serbian tennis star.
From this statement, Djokovic appears to understand and largely follow government guidelines to prevent the spread of Covid-19. Yet one thing doesn’t seem to add up: his understanding of what isolation actually means. Surely, he would not have met with a French reporter, fully knowing the dangers of doing so. Despite assuring the public of his mask-wearing throughout the duration of the interview, he failed to deter the controversy nor the, quite simply, barbaric actions of such a professional player. If Novak Djokovic cannot take Covid-19 seriously, should he really be allowed into a country that has been ransacked by a virus which has taken thousands of lives?
Now there is also a discrepancy surrounding the actual date on which he contracted the virus. Novak Djokovic initially claimed he contracted Covid on 17 December 2021. However, the official affidavit presented to the court in his appeal case suggests he tested positive on 16 December. So, which version of events is true?
Early on in the pandemic Novak Djokovic drew much-deserved criticism after attending the Adria Tour event, in Croatia, where there was a lack of social distancing, with hugging being witnessed at the net. Whilst restrictions in Croatia had relaxed, no vaccine was available and the threat of a surge in Covid cases continued to threaten indivudals freedoms. Despite later apologising, claiming the event had been driven by a “pure heart” and “good intentions,” it was too little too late. Publicly ‘an activist for humanitarian explorations and heartfelt morals,’ this tennis star still has a long way to go to prove his dedication towards creating a safer environment for all.
But criticisms did not stop there. During the beginning of the pandemic, Novak Djokovic was reportedly outed for publicly opposing the vaccine, protesting the importance of personal health and fitness in combatting viral infections and disease. He was reportedly “curious about wellbeing and how we can empower our metabolism to be in the best shape to defend against imposters like Covid-19”. To me, it seems as though the only imposter here is Novak Djokovic. Whilst both health and fitness are crucial components to a healthy lifestyle, this notion seems misplaced in the face of Covid-19. The fact that Djokovic contracted Covid on not one, but two separate occasions, serves to undermine his own argument here.
Whilst Djokovic takes to the limelight, offering his own community Foundation for Serbians and promoting health and inner peace, under the surface squirms a power-thirsty man yearning for public approval. He asked Australian Open tournament director, Craig Tiley, to relax quarantine rules in this year’s Australian Open, and for players to be moved to private houses with their own tennis courts. This succeeds in establishing this self-boasting figure we are all too familiar with.
After ten days of this seeming marathon saga, Novak Djokovic has finally been deported by Australian Government officials. He is currently on his way home but to what welcome, who’s to know? One thing is for certain, however, that he will not be defending his title under the scorching Australian heat this year.
Words by Madeleine Raine
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