Goran Ivanisevic claims Novak Djokovic was so agency in his private beliefs that he was able to stroll away from professional tennis if taking a COVID-19 vaccine was a mandate for him to proceed enjoying.
Should you keep in mind properly, the notorious Australia visa saga in early 2022 primarily occurred as a result of the Serb wasn’t vaccinated. That very same yr, the previous world No. 1 wasn’t allowed to enter america for the US Open and the Masters occasions in Indian Wells and Miami.
Throughout that interval, Djokovic was closely scrutinized – not solely due to his vaccine stance – but additionally as a result of some felt he was sending the flawed message.
Ivanisevic: Djokovic did not need to take the vaccine, he was prepared to finish his profession because of this
“The world condemned him, criticized him relentlessly, even belittled him for standing agency. But he by no means wavered, standing agency in his conviction with a dedication that also resonates. Now we’re speaking about these vaccines and so they say that a few of them prompted issues. We have been locked up like sheep for 3 years and we have been manipulated,“ the Croatian, who labored with the Serb between 2018 and 2024, mentioned on TV Area Sport’s podcast Neuspjeh Prvaka.
“It was throughout the pandemic when he refused to get vaccinated. He mentioned publicly a number of instances that it was a choice he was making for his physique, that he knew his physique finest and that he didn’t need to do this. And he was prepared to finish his profession because of this. He went all the best way simply to not get vaccinated.“
After what Djokovic went by in Australia in 2022 January, some thought the Serb would undoubtedly take the vaccine. However the 37-year-old was fast to dismiss these talks.
By 2023, the Australian and america authorities relaxed their respective COVID-19 measures – which led to the present world No. 5 returning to the Australian Open and the US Open that yr.
Throughout the 2023 season, Djokovic received three Grand Slams to enhance to an all-time document of 24, leaving 22-time Main champion Rafael Nadal behind him.
