Guest Post by
One year after he was deported for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine — precluding him from playing in the 2022 Australian Open — tennis star Novak Djokovic on Sunday made history when he returned to Australia to win his 10th Australian Open and 22nd Grand Slam title.
One year after he was deported for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine — precluding him from playing in the 2022 Australian Open — tennis star Novak Djokovic on Sunday made history when he returned to Australia to win his 10th Australian Open and 22nd Grand Slam title.
With Bill Gates in attendance, Djokovic defeated Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas, becoming only the second player to win a men’s Grand Slam competition 10 or more times. He also tied the record, held by Rafael Nadal, for Grand Slam wins.
Following his victory, Djokovic visibly teared up, hiding his face in a towel while sitting on the sidelines awaiting the trophy presentation. Afterward, he told reporters:
“Of course, when I went into my box, I just think emotionally collapsed there and teared up, with especially my mother and my brother, when I gave them a hug, because up to that moment, I was not allowing myself to, I guess, be distracted with things off the court or whatever was happening in dealing with an injury, things happening off the court, as well, that could easily have been a big disturbance to my focus, to my game.
“It required an enormous mental energy really to stay present, to stay focused, to take things day by day, and really see how far I can go.”
Djokovic had to overcome a hamstring injury, requiring him to receive “77 therapies a day,” according to his coach, Goran Ivanisevic.
He also faced a media backlash involving his father, who earlier during the tournament was photographed with a group of fans holding the Russian flag and the “Z” symbol — understood as a sign of support for Russia in its conflict with Ukraine. His father did not attend Sunday’s final.
But Gates — one of the world’s foremost proponents of the COVID-19 vaccine — did attend, however, watching the semifinal and the final matches of the men’s tournament.
Gates was in Australia to speak to the country’s Lowy Institute. His remarks raised some eyebrows, when he appeared to be critical of the same COVID-19 vaccines he previously and enthusiastically promoted — and heavily invested in.
Bill Gates just admitted mRNA jabs don’t stop infection, don’t block transmission, don’t block mutants, don’t last, don’t work at all — after he sold stock in his vaccine ventures 😂😂😂. Thanks, Suckers!https://t.co/a5ROLmha1O
— Robert F. Kennedy Jr (@RobertKennedyJr) January 27, 2023
Djokovic, an outspoken proponent of bodily autonomy, was willing to risk his career to remain unvaccinated
Djokovic, known for his success on the tennis court, gained even wider fame for his outspoken stance against mandatory COVID-19 vaccination and for bodily autonomy.
In a February 2022 interview, a BBC reporter asked Djokovic if he was “prepared to forgo the chance to be the greatest player that ever picked up a racket, statistically, because you feel so strongly about the jab?”
“Yes, I do,” Djokovic responded. When prodded about why he felt that way, Djokovic stated, “Because the principles of decision-making on my body are more important than any title.”
Throughout 2022, Djokovic said he was willing to forego other Grand Slam tournaments, such as Wimbledon and the French Open, rather than get vaccinated for COVID-19.
The issue resurfaced following Djokovic’s victory on Sunday, when tennis legend John McEnroe and sports broadcaster Chris Fowler engaged in a debate, live on ESPN, over Djokovic’s vaccination status and the tournaments he missed as a result.
Fowler said Djokovic missed tournaments such as the Australian Open and Wimbledon in 2022 as “a part of his choices, to be fair,” adding, “He made choices that led to that for some of those things.”
McEnroe, in response, said, “I think he should have been permitted to play.”
According to Fox News, McEnroe previously spoke out in support of Djokovic’s stance, describing the Biden administration’s vaccination mandates that kept Djokovic out of the US Open as “BS.”
In August 2022, just prior to the US Open, Children’s Health Defense organized an “End All Travel Mandates” protest in support of Djokovic, attracting mainstream media coverage.
Djokovic, who won the 2021 Australian Open, initially was issued a visa to enter Australia for the 2022 competition. However, authorities subsequently canceled the 35-year-old’s visa, then restored it and then canceled it again — leading to his expulsion.
At the time, Australia’s Immigration Minister Alex Hawke unilaterally revoked Djokovic’s visa on “health and good order” grounds, “on the basis that it was in the public interest to do so.” Djokovic argued that he had secured a medical exemption allowing him to enter the country.
Djokovic subsequently missed the US Open, another Grand Slam tournament, in September 2022, because the Biden administration wouldn’t lift its COVID-19 vaccine mandate for foreigners entering the country — even though unvaccinated spectators could attend US Open matches.
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Man, that made my day. The dude is a fucking hero.
Excluding players especially the #1 player in the world could have been solved if the fucking ATP would have gotten behind Novak(and a couple others) and said if he doesn’t play, no one does. But no, assholes like Nadal looked at not having to face Novak as an opportunity.
Seems the definition of hero has dropped leagues. Used to be heros were lauded as selfless persons who risked their own lives for another. Now you can be a hero just swatting, kicking, throwing or bouncing a ball for gobs of cash and lucrative money contracts.
Novak Djokovic is a true champion (in and outside of tennis) and role-model for anyone to emulate. Congratulations, sir, on your win.
The other is an Evil Fucker tool of the first rank.
How many people are out there putting their life’s work on the line for their principles? Who do you look up to?
Get back to me when your pull your head out of your ass.
“Seems the definition of hero has dropped leagues.”
But, But, what about all the firemen, policeman, teachers, nurses, doctors…ad infinitum, lauded @ various times/places?
IMHO, You are Correct.
Nowhere is mentioned Australia’s rationale for allowing him this time.
Why is that?
After how he was treated as a pariah by the criminal political gang of Oz, after he retires he should boycott the place until a very formal and extremely public apology from the Crown, government, and people is forthcoming.
Novak, dearie, thank you for standing strong against the Evil Fuckers. A bright beacon of conscience, morals and strength in an ever-darkening demonic world.
Appears that the vaxx is a great hinderance to performance.
Heart damage is not a good thing?
Pure bloods rule.
Bill and Novak Djokovic have one thing in common— Neither was vaccinated with the clot shot.
fucking heros I shall worship them now and send them money too, buy all their merch.
You are a real asshole
I’m a fake asshole.
!!!
The look on Gates face…priceless.
Auntie could see the feathers sticking out of his mouth.
If only he would have choked on the feathers, and subsequently descended to the a fiery hell he is destined for.
Why does it look like he’s always molting.
Doing like all the Lizard people do…
Pity the ball boys.
Great meme. Funny.
Bill Gates without his glasses and ball cap:
Don’t follow tennis. Don’t know Djokovic’s politics . Good on him for sticking it to the needle nazis.
I am not sure I would have gone back.