After missing a trio of major tournaments this year due to his stance on the COVID-19 vaccination, Novak Djokovic has been branded the ‘king of stupidity’ by a former player.
The 20-time Grand Slam champion enters this week’s Monte Carlo Masters having played just three matches this year which was at the Dubai Tennis Championships where he reached the quarter-finals. Djokovic’s absence from the Tour has been due to his decision to not have a vaccination.
After travelling to Australia under the impression he had a medical exemption, the Serbian was detained by border officials due to concerns over his visa legitimacy before going through two separate court hearings which resulted in his deportation. He also missed Indian Wells and Miami as America doesn’t allow unvaccinated arrivals to enter the country unless they qualify for a special exemption.
During an interview with the BBC in February, the world No.1 said he was willing to miss events, including Grand Slam tournaments, over his stance. Djokovic says he doesn’t want to have the vaccine due to concerns about the potential effects it could have on his body. Even though it has been approved by the World Health Organization and the ATP has previously stated that 99% of their top 100 players have had at least one dose.
“I was never against vaccination but I’ve always supported the freedom to choose what you put in your body,” he told the BBC.
“The principles of decision making on my body are more important than any title or anything else. I’m trying to be in tune with my body as much as I possibly can.”
Djokovic’s view on the matter has been blasted by former world No.1 Marcelo Rios who reached the final of the 1998 Australian Open. During an interview with La Tercera, the 46-year-old said it was ‘stupid’ for the tennis star to jeopardise his quest to be the best player in history due to not being vaccinated. Going as far as describing him as ‘arrogant’ over the matter.
“It’s stupid, he is going to give up the race and he is not going to be the best in history because of a vaccine,” said Rios.
“I thought the same, but then I started travelling and I had to take it.
“I don’t know what the reason is, but if you’re trying to be the best in history and you’re going to give up the race for some vaccines, you have to be the king of stupidity.
“I believe that at first it was out of fear, but now he is being too arrogant.”
Djokovic is set to return to action on Tuesday when he takes on Spain’s Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the first round at the Monte Carlo Masters. As it currently stands he will be allowed to play at both the French Open and Wimbledon with many countries now relaxing their covid-19 rules.
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