As a tennis fan left disabled by long Covid, I’m not mad at Djokovic
In 2008, I witnessed Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic break my heart.
He beat my all-time favourite player, two-time defending champion Roger Federer in the semi-finals of the Australian Open, ending Federer’s consecutive streak of reaching 10 major finals, five years after he turned professional.
Two days later, Djokovic would secure his first ever grand slam title against Frenchmen Jo-Wilfired Tsonga in four sets. I didn’t know it then but I had just witnessed the start of his dominant rise to the top.
Over the next 13 years, Djokovic would win a record breaking nine singles titles in the Australian Open and 20 grand slam singles titles in total – tying with Federer and Rafa Nadal for most grand slam titles ever.
Following a disappointing US Open performance, this year’s Australian Open was Djokovic’s chance to break free and claim the ultimate title: Most Grand Slam men’s singles.
It was written in the stars. If only he was allowed in.
Djokovic has always been controversial; if there was going to be a tennis player to speak out against taking the vaccine, it would be him.
And while I believe that he has every right to free choice, he must also remember that there are other people to consider. With his place on the world stage, he needs to acknowledge the power of his words, and his actions – and recognise the impact that they might have on those who may not be as physically strong.
Yesterday, the BBC aired an interview with Djokovic where, for the first time since the Australian Open vaccine debacle, he was able to give his version of events and personal opinions on Covid and vaccinations.
As someone who has been left immobilised from having Covid-19 as well as losing a parent to the disease, almost one year exactly to the day, I contemplated whether I wanted to watch. I felt conflicted as I was interested in hearing his side of the story, but feared his view would cause anger and hurt.
Did I really want to hear another person preach about how it’s not ‘real’? Feel victimised for not being healthy enough to fight the disease with my own immune system?
But I decided to see what Djokovic had to say – and his response came as no great shock.
The world number one openly admitted to meeting a French journalist, while knowing he was positive with Covid-19. My response to this is too explicit to write down. It is selfish acts like this, which could cause great harm to those most vulnerable.
He also clarified that when the now infamous photo of him with a group of children was taken, his Covid status was unknown – as the test results hadn’t returned. It’s this lack of awareness and responsibility that irritates me the most.
When you have been personally affected by Covid on such an extreme level, it’s hard to separate yourself from these stories without feelings of anger and frustration.
However, to hear Djokovic talk about how he refuses to be vaccinated is no surprise.
In April 2020 during an Instagram Live he spoke of his opposition to vaccination and is known for having more unorthodox views, such as purifying polluted water through positive emotions.
In 2017, he suffered an elbow injury and went against his then-coach who suggested surgery, opting instead to allow his body to naturally heal with rest – however, the pain continued and by February 2018 he had to have the surgery.
It’s as if he views himself as tennis’s own ‘Doctor Who’, with the power to regenerate at any time of weakness.
Djokovic has always been strict with his health and fitness. He is believed to practice yoga daily, consume no junk, dairy or processed food – and prides himself on his mental, physical and spiritual wellbeing.
So, declaring that ‘the principles of decision making on my body are more important than any title or anything else’, isn’t particularly unexpected.
For a man who has always taken great care and control of his body, it is understandable he is apprehensive especially if he believes he has strong enough antibodies – despite what the science says.
Yes, I have had Covid and it’s literally changed my life. I am relearning to walk, I need help getting dressed and have problems with my memory.
But, despite that, I’m not going to hate everyone who is against the vaccine. I have friends who won’t have it (one is even a nurse) but I’m not going to end our friendship. A carer of mine only got the vaccine because her work made her; yet I still feel no resentment.
In the world of Federer and Nadal, Djokovic has always been the villain.
Federer gets praised; Djokovic gets criticised. And he knows it. The crowds are rarely on his side and he feeds off their dislike to power him up. He’s arrogant, but he’s good. The best, in fact.
My biggest problem is the misinformation from him and his team prior to his Melbourne arrival – despite posing a public health risk.
He stated in his interview he is willing to miss tournaments due to not being vaccinated. A surprising declaration given his love for tennis and his fierce, competitive nature to be the best.
At 34 years old Djokovic has many more grand slams in him, he’s at prime fitness yet once again he’s opting to ignore the medical advice that threatens his career and deny himself a place in the history books as the all-time great.
Maybe it just goes to show, some people never change, and some never truly learn.
Do you have a story you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing [email protected].
Share your views in the comments below.
Source: Read Full Article