Quiet, please: Novak is no anti-vaxxer champion
Anti-vaxxers love Novak Djokovic but the uncomfortable truth is this — the feeling is not mutual.
For several days last week while his visa saga played out, Melburnians against Covid-19 vaccinations gathered outside the Park Hotel where the world’s best male tennis player was being held by immigration officials.
They chanted for his freedom and condemned Australian authorities for what they saw as an extension of a mandate to force as many people as possible to submit to a jab.
“Free the Novax legend,” one placard read. Another read: “Novax Djokovic — hostage of the communist state of Dan Andrews. Are we in a pandemic about health? Novak looks healthy to me.”
The Serbian tennis star, who was deported from Australia on Sunday night for failing to get vaccinated, is a huge hit with the anti-vax crowd.
But the legal team that represented him in the Federal Court delivered a harsh truth when they declared that Djokovic is no anti-vax hero. He doesn’t want to be. If anything, it is quite the opposite.
“There was no evidence before the minister that Mr Djokovic has ever urged any others not to be vaccinated,” his lawyers said.
“Indeed, if anything, Mr Djokovic’s conduct over time reveals a zealous protection of his own privacy rather than any advocacy.”
Serbian supporters outside the Park Hotel were joined by a toxic mix of protesters from movements that are anti-government, anti-lockdowns and anti-vaccine. If they hoped for words of support for their causes from the man himself, they would have been disappointed. Even after being kicked out of the country, Djokovic was careful with his comments. He did not mention his vaccination status.
“I am extremely disappointed with the ruling to dismiss my application for judicial review of the decision to cancel my visa, which means I cannot stay in Australia and participate in the Australian Open. I respect the Court’s ruling and I’ll co-operate with the relevant authorities in relation to my departure from Australia.
“I am uncomfortable that the focus . . . has been on me and I hope that we can all now focus on the game and tournament I love. I would like to wish the players, tournament officials, staff, volunteers and fans all the best for the tournament.
“Finally, I would like to thank my family, friends, team, supporters, fans and my fellow Serbians for your continued support. You have all been a great source of strength to me.”
He never once, before or after arriving in Australia, made a public case against vaccination. It was clear the 20-time Grand Slam winner just wanted to play tennis. Speaking on Australian television last week, his mother, Dijana Djokovic, said just that.
“Don’t throw him out, he is a tennis player, he is not a politician, he is not a criminal, he is not a murderer, he’s just a tennis player, the best in the world, just let him play. He came to Australia to play and to win the Australian Open, this is his goal.”
He is just a tennis player. The best in the world. Anti-vaxxers are wrong to make him more than that.