FirstSportz
  • Boxing
  • Cricket
  • eSports
  • F1
  • Football
  • Golf
  • MLB
  • MMA
  • NASCAR
  • NBA
  • NFL
  • NHL
  • Tennis
  • WWE
No Result
View All Result
  • Boxing
  • Cricket
  • eSports
  • F1
  • Football
  • Golf
  • MLB
  • MMA
  • NASCAR
  • NBA
  • NFL
  • NHL
  • Tennis
  • WWE
No Result
View All Result
FirstSportz
No Result
View All Result
Home Tennis Australian Open

‘As athletes, we are role models,’ Michael Phelps disagrees with Novak Djokovic vaccination stance, says situation should be taken ‘more seriously’

by Nirmit Mehta
January 14, 2022 / 20:29 GMT
Michael Phelps, Novak Djokovic

Michael Phelps, Novak Djokovic

follow icon Follow
Share

Michael Phelps, legendary American swimmer and multiple time Olympic champion has given his two cents on the controversy surrounding Novak Djokovic’s visa. The Serbian’s visa was cancelled for the second time on Friday, as the Minister of Immigration, Alex Hawke exercised his ministerial power.

Novak Djokovic is against vaccination, and applied to compete at Australian Open 2022 under grounds of medical exemption. Michael Phelps, however believes that as athletes, it is their responsibility to set a good example, as they are looked upon as role models.

Moreover, Phelps has stated that the situation surrounding the vaccine and covid-19 should be taken more seriously, as millions of lives have been lost all over the globe. The American swimmer also gave his own example, when he caught the virus and felt miserable.

Also Read: “Novak Djokovic saw an opportunity to get an exemption, so he took it, you cannot blame him for that,”: Ons Jabeur

Michael Phelps has his say on Novak Djokovic vaccination stance

Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic

Michael Phelps indirectly stated that Novak Djokovic should get vaccinated, as he must set a right precedent for others. “As athletes, we are role models. I had Covid-19, and it was terrible. It was a miserable experience I’ve really had. So, I don’t take that lightly. It’s something that has killed a lot of people and we all need to be on the same page for getting through this together,” said Phelps.

“I hope that we can all agree on something and make it through this without losing more lives. Because I think we can all work together, follow certain guidelines and stay healthy. We can fight through this. There are so many things going around in the media about Covid-19 and it’s overwhelming. It is kind of scary at times and I think we probably need to take it more seriously than we do,” he added.

Reflecting on the Djokovic debacle ahead of the Australian Open, the most decorated Olympian of all time @MichaelPhelps says that “as athletes, we are role models… I’ve had Covid and it was terrible… We can all work together and follow certain guidelines.” pic.twitter.com/RBwZk3B9BJ

— Christiane Amanpour (@amanpour) January 13, 2022

Novak Djokovic is detained again as per the latest decision by the Minister of Immigration. A hearing is scheduled for Saturday morning, with a final decision expected to be made on Sunday. Novak Djokovic, seeded first at Australian Open 2022 is in the top half of the draw which is scheduled to play on Monday. Hence, his chances of competing look slim unless a decision is announced soon.

Also Read: PM Scott Morrison backs Alex Hawke’s decision to cancel Novak Djokovic’s visa; touches upon the sacrifices made by Australians in wake of the pandemic

Tags: Michael PhelpsNovak Djokovic
Nirmit Mehta

Nirmit Mehta

Nirmit Mehta is an aspiring sports writer and enthusiast who loves writing on Cricket, Tennis, Formula One, and Football. He is currently pursuing his education in Finance and is passionate about learning new languages.

Also Read

Rafael Nadal (Source: French Open)

Toni Nadal reveals Rafael Nadal’s goal is to return to the tour at the 2024 Australian Open

by Nirmit Mehta
1 week ago

Rafael Nadal has been out of action since the 2023 Australian Open, as he suffered a hip injury during his...

Novak Djokovic, Michael Jordan

Novak Djokovic aiming to make his documentary similar to Michael Jordan’s ‘Last Dance’ that includes the Australian Open fiasco

by Navya Mishra
3 months ago

During a recent post-match news conference with Serbian media, Novak Djokovic discussed his much-anticipated documentary. He shared his goal for...

lesgo

“He spent daily five to six hours receiving treatment,” Goran Ivanisevic reveals the extent of Novak Djokovic’s injury in Australia

by Sarthak Shitole
7 months ago

Novak Djokovic's coach, Goran Ivanisevic, has opened up about the difficulties of coaching one of the greatest tennis players of...

Craig Tiley lauds Australian public

“Novak Djokovic’s problems were driven by his own choice,” Craig Tiley defends the crowd at the Australian Open despite multiple altercations with the Serb

by Abhinavendu Singh
7 months ago

Serbian tennis icon Novak Djokovic is riding on a great start to the year. He started the 2023 season with...

“When he climbed up he collapsed,” Novak Djokovic’s mental coach Pepe Imaz speaks about his 10th Australian Open title

“When he climbed up he collapsed,” Novak Djokovic’s mental coach Pepe Imaz speaks about his 10th Australian Open title

by Tanisha Mohanty
7 months ago

World No.1, Novak Djokovic once again attained his top-most ranking after a tough year. The Serb won his record-breaking 10th...

A disappointed Iga Swiatek

“I am not gonna play perfectly all the time,” Iga Swiatek explains the need for ‘reset’ after a disappointing show in the Australian Open

by Abhinavendu Singh
7 months ago

World No. 1 Iga Swiatek did not have the expected result at the beginning of the 2023 season. The Pole...

John Cena

John Cena breaks his silence on former World Champion’s shocking release from the company following the WWE-UFC merger

by Subhasish Deb
28 mins ago

Alex Pereira and Jiri Prochazka

“Don’t think anyone will regret watching this fight,” Alex Pereira guarantees blast for fans in epic clash with Jiri Prochazka

by Nidhin Shibu
39 mins ago

Colby Covington and Donald Trump

Colby Covington credits President Donald Trump for giving ‘dragon energy’ and vows to wrap belt around him after UFC 296

by Nidhin Shibu
45 mins ago

Giannis Antetokounmpo Steph Curry

Giannis Antetokounmpo to team-up with Steph Curry? Warriors among FAVORITES to land two-time MVP

by Hradyansh Chauhan
57 mins ago

FirstSportz-Logo-Light
FirstSportz is the First Stop for all sports fanatics. Starting in 2019, we initially covered Olympic Sports, but in 2021 we added every other sport which you might be looking for, like NFL, Golf, MLB, WWE Cricket, Football, Tennis, Esports, NBA, MMA and more.
DMCA.com Protection Status
  • About Us
  • Advertise at FirstSportz
  • Contact Us
  • Correction Policy
  • DMCA/Copyrights Disclaimer
  • Editorial Team
  • Ethics Policy
  • Fact Checking Policy
  • GDPR Compliance
  • Join Us
  • Ownership and Funding Information
  • Privacy Policy

© 2023 by Firstsportz

No Result
View All Result
  • Boxing
  • Cricket
  • eSports
    • Free Fire
  • F1
  • Football
  • Golf
  • MLB
  • MMA
  • NASCAR
  • NBA
  • NFL
  • NHL
  • Tennis
  • WWE
  • Info
    • About Us
    • Editorial Team old
    • Contact Us

© 2023 by Firstsportz