Novak Djokovic claims vaccine saga in Australia made him ‘villain of the world’

Novak Djokovic said that not getting vaccinated during the pandemic made him feel as if he was the villain of the world.

Novak Djokovic claims vaccine saga in Australia made him ‘villain of the world’

Novak Djokovic (Image via X)

The ‘world’ has declared Novak Djokovic as the villain of tennis. At least that’s what a section of tennis fans believe and Djokovic himself thinks that crowds like to support his opponents in almost every tournament he plays but the criticism was different during the 2022 Australian Open due to a different reason.

In an interview, Djokovic talked about the vaccination saga during the 2022 Australian Open. As he was unvaccinated, he was deported from Australia. Djokovic revealed that even though he was used to criticism, it was the first time he had to deal with that kind of situation.

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I was basically declared as a villain of the world. I had basically most of the world against me. I had that kind of experience on the tennis court with crowds that were not maybe cheering me on, but I never had this particular experience before in my life.
Novak Djokovic said in the 60 Minutes interview

After the controversy, Djokovic returned to Australia a year later and lifted the trophy. He then went on to win two more Grand Slam titles that year, winning the French Open and the US Open. Djokovic lost only the Wimbledon final to Carlos Alcaraz who clinched his first title at the SW19 with a five-set win over the Serb.

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Novak Djokovic ashamed of his angry outbursts on courts

Even though many consider mental strength to be Novak Djokovic‘s biggest weapon, the 37-year-old on several occasions failed to control himself, resulting in the smashing of rackets. In that aforementioned interview, Djokovic talked about his angry outbursts on courts, saying he is ashamed of breaking rackets.

Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic (Image via Imago)
I'm not proud about that. And I'm ashamed of myself when I do that, no doubt. But at the same time, you know, I accept myself as a flawed human being.
Novak Djokovic said

Djokovic even lashed out at the Wimbledon crowd this year. After his win over Holger Rune, Djokovic felt the crowd’s chants of Rune’s name were actually boos. He bade them a ‘good night’ in a sarcastic manner and continued to express his anger on social media.

Djokovic is in New York for the US Open and will play his first match against Radu Albot on August 26. The gold medal at the Paris Olympics was the only title Djokovic won and he will chase his first trophy of the ATP tour at Flushing Meadows.

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