Greek tennis star Stefanos Tsitsipas gave his verdict on Novak Djokovic amid his Australian Open visa saga
Tennis world quantity 4 Stefanos Tsitsipas has stated Novak Djokovic is “taking part in by his personal guidelines” by arriving in Melbourne unvaccinated forward of the Australian Open.
Djokovic arrived Down Beneath with a medical exemption which he thought was sufficient to permit him to defend his report ninth title in Melbourne.
As Australian Border Pressure officers disagreed, nonetheless, the 34-year-old was detained and had his visa canceled earlier than a courtroom overturned that call on Monday.
The drama continues to unfold, with Djokovic admitting in a press release there was incorrect data on his journey paperwork whereas Australian Immigration Minister Alex Hawke has reserved the appropriate to cancel his visa once more – doubtlessly on Friday.
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In the meantime, fellow professionals proceed to be requested to provide their ideas on the scenario, together with Greek ace Tsitsipas, who was Djokovic’s sufferer within the 2021 French Open last.
The 23-year-old stated his Serbian rival has been “taking part in by his personal guidelines” whereas doing “what not many gamers had the center to do, particularly after the ATP introduced sure standards for gamers to enter the nation.”
“Nobody actually thought they might come to Australia unvaccinated and never having to observe the protocols,” he identified to India’s WION information channel.
“It takes lots of daring to do and placing the Grand Slam in danger, which I do not suppose many gamers would do,” he added concerning Djokovic’s quest for a report 21st Grand Slam title.
Punchy from Stefanos Tsitsipas who says Novak Djokovic has been "taking part in by his personal guidelines".
"We've all adopted the protocols to compete in Australia… and a really small minority selected to observe their very own method which makes [us] appear to be fools."#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/9pT69IBUdU
— James Grey (@jamesgraysport) January 13, 2022
Djokovic virtually achieved this in 2021 till failing to beat Daniil Medvedev within the US Open last.
With another Main title, Djokovic would surpass fellow greats Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal within the all-time standings.
When requested if Djokovic ought to be allowed to begin defending his crown subsequent week, nonetheless, after having already been drawn towards Miomir Kecmanovic within the first spherical, Tsitsipas stated that there are “two methods to take a look at it”.
High seed and nine-time #AusOpen champion 🇷🇸 @DjokerNole begins his title defence towards Miomir Kecmanovic.#AO2022 pic.twitter.com/96MAlHNElG
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 13, 2022
“One aspect of it’s that nearly each single participant is totally vaccinated… and [they] have adopted the protocols to play in Australia.
“Alternatively, it appears not everyone seems to be taking part in by the principles… a really small majority selected to observe their very own method, which form of makes the bulk appear to be fools,” he claimed.
Although Tsitsipas is reported as having obtained the one dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine by Greek state broadcaster ERT, he was beforehand criticized by his nation’s authorities for stating through the Cincinnati Masters that he wouldn’t get his jabs except the ATP made it obligatory, and in addition claiming that the unfold of Covid could be “good”.
“He doesn’t have the information and research to evaluate the necessity for vaccinations,” stated spokesperson Giannis Oikonomou.
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“Stefanos Tsitsipas is a good athlete, his expertise in sports activities and his contribution to sports activities within the nation [are] unquestionable.
“What’s at stake, nonetheless, is his capability to evaluate the necessity for vaccinations or whether or not the vaccine has been examined for a adequate time frame,” Oikonomou went on.
“He has neither the information nor the research nor the analysis work that will enable him to kind an opinion about it.”
Drawn to face Mikael Ymer of Sweden on Monday, Tsitsipas seems to be to enhance on his semi-final showings within the 2019 and 2021 editions of the Australian Open this time spherical.
