Sharp criticism
“Let’s look like idiots”: Tsitsipas hands out against Djokovic
Novak Djokovic is at the center of an inbound corona vaccination tsunami
© Paul Crock / AFP
There is usually great external harmony in the tennis world, but in the case of Djokovic, world number four Stefanos Tsitsipas has sharply criticized his colleague. The German player Angelique Kerber also spoke cautiously, but clearly.
Novak Djokovic has been keeping the tennis world in suspense for over a week – and not only them. His case has become a huge political issue in Australia. Globally, there is harsh criticism of the world number one, whose visa was canceled again by Immigration Secretary Alex Hawke after a court lifted the authorities’ first entry ban. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison welcomed the decision. And one can assume that the majority of Australians are also behind it.
Only among the tennis pros is it remarkably quiet. So far, there has been very little public criticism – until number four in the world rankings, Stefanos Tsitsipas, gave an interview to an Indian TV station before Djokovic’s visa was canceled again. Tsitsipas said something that many probably think about Djokovic’s behavior: “We all followed the rules to come to Australia and take part in the tournament, and we were very disciplined about it,” said the Greek. “A very small minority have decided to go their own way. It kind of makes the majority look like idiots.”
Angelique Kerber “understands people”
But others are also very critical of Djokovic’s behavior, even if the statements have so far been diplomatically reserved. This is how the German tennis player Angelique Kerber commented on the anti-Djokovic mood in the country: “I definitely understand the people here,” said Kerber cautiously. “Rules are rules that apply to everyone, whether you’re number one or a qualifier.”
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A few days ago, Rafael Nadal, one of Djokovic’s biggest competitors, spoke up. Like his rival, the Spaniard has won 20 Grand Slam titles and also competes in the Australian Open: “Everyone should make their own decisions, I have no doubt about that. But every decision has its consequences,” said Nadal. Nadal made it clear that he has a different attitude on the issue of vaccination: “All the important institutions and science have said that the vaccine is the way to stop this pandemic that we have experienced in the last 20 months. So I’m trying to follow that.”
Sources: “Eurosport”, “sky sports”, DPA