Tennis: “The whole world was against me”, Djokovic reflects on his expulsion from Australia when he was not vaccinated

In one month, in January 2024 (15th to 28th), Novak Djokovic will put his title on the line at the Australian Open. The first Grand Slam of the season which he has already won ten times (2008, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2023) very often reserves great moments of glory for him, except in January 2022. Almost two years ago, the world number was in fact expelled from Australia because he was not vaccinated against Covid-19. This episode, which had caused a lot of discussion, remains stuck in his throat.

“The whole world was against me. I was declared a global supervillain, the Serbian lamented on the show 60 Minutes on CBS. I experienced this kind of situation on the tennis courts with audiences who perhaps did not support me, but I had never experienced this in my life. I am neither anti-vaccine nor pro-vaccine, I am for the freedom to choose. And the “supervillain” wants to sweep away what he considers a cliché. “Some people even think that today I am a better player if the fans are against me, that is not true. I of course prefer to play with the crowd behind me, it’s much easier”

Favored last January by a change of government in Australia which lifted its ban on entry for three years, the holder of Grand Slam victories (24) retains a feeling of bitterness. Combined with a thirst for revenge which did so much harm to his opponents during this successful 2023 season for “Djoko”.

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