“Novak Djokovic is able to put aside that fact that he is the GOAT” Pierre-Hugues Herbert praises the Serbian for his no-vaccination stand
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Novak Djokovic and Pierre-Hugues Herbert
Novak Djokovic has been in the headlines for most of 2022 and it has been the case due to his clear stance against refusal to get vaccinated against Covid-19. This stance led to him being deported from Australia and also getting a 3-year ban along with a forced expulsion from the 2022 Australian Open where he was the 3-time defending champion and a record 9-time champion.
Djokovic had remained silent on the entire episode since his deportation as he flew back home to Belgrade and did not say anything until recently when he talked with the BBC presenting his personal point of view on why does he not get vaccinated and also disclosed his own version of the events that took place in Australia that the media might have not shown.
The comments were released by BBC yesterday, on 15th February, and since then mixed reactions have poured in. With many opposing the Serbian for not thinking for the greater good, quite a few have supported him to being strong and stern on his decision to not be forced into doing something he does not believe in. One such person is former World No. 2 in Doubles and 5-time Grand Slam champion Pierre-Hugues Herbert.
The Frenchman had openly denied his participation at the Australian Open this year after vaccination was made compulsory and chose to miss the tournament rather than get vaccinated. With Djokovic’s comments getting published yesterday, the former Australian Open champion backed his colleague.
“Me, I skipped the Australian Open when potentially, with Nicolas (Mahut), we could have gone all the way and won a Grand Slam. Freedom is stronger than tennis and everything else. I found myself a lot in the interview he gave. He also says, and this is important, that today he has this vision, but that this vision can evolve over time.
“This is its position today, it can evolve. Great respect for his position. He has convictions, respect. He is able to put aside the fact that he is potentially the greatest player of all time for a non-sporting reason,” said Herbert in his recent interview with French daily L’Equipe.
Unlike Herbert, Novak Djokovic might miss the French Open
While Herbert is also unvaccinated, the 2-time French Open champion will be allowed to feature at the upcoming 2022 French Open but Djokovic might not be given entry. The French government is considering following the footsteps of the Australian and the US government in making vaccinations compulsory for its foreign nationals and it could be another blow to Djokovic as unlike Herbert, he is not a French citizen.
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Sarthak Shitole
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