Novak Djokovic in criticism: "Most shake their heads when they hear his name at the moment"
Novak Djokovic was the outstanding man of the tennis year 2020 - until the corona pandemic came. Since then, the world number one has not cut a good figure.
by Jörg Allmeroth
last edit: Jun 12, 2020, 02:40 pm
When Novak Djokovic smiled into the cameras as a tournament champion in Dubai on the evening of February 29th, the world of the best tennis player was still in order. At the million-dollar spectacle on the Gulf, the Serb had once again kept his competitors at a distance, it was the third tournament victory at the third start this season. 18 matches, 18 wins, nothing and nobody seemed to be able to stop Djokovic. But then came the pandemic, and if you even want to talk about winners and losers in this global health crisis, Djokovic has been a loser time and time again in recent weeks and months.
The series of questionable appearances and views has continued into these days of gradual easing, the "Capitano" has just received severe criticism from the circle of colleagues because he described the hygiene concept for the US Open as "extreme" and a blunt start excluded from the American Grand Slam. "Arrogant" appears Djokovic, was the least that could be heard from fellow travelers from the traveling circus: "Most only shake their heads when the name Djokovic is currently mentioned", says a European ATP professional from the top 100 .
Djokovic tour: social distancing a foreign word
As if it needed confirmation, circulated images from Djokovic's current Adriatic tour. Pictures from the shared soccer kick with colleagues like Alexander Zverev or Grigor Dimitrov. Pictures with hugs, clapping like in old, pandemic-free days. No trace of distance, rules, social distancing. This angered some, such as the bustling DTB Vice President Dirk Hordorff. However, he deleted his tweet about party mood in Serbia. A tweet that also read that Djokovic was unable to attend a video conference between the ATP and the US Open to host the tournament due to an alleged lack of time.
That that Djokovic could not imagine going to the US Open without his usual entourage and instead having only one companion in the team was still one of the milder scandals. The now controversial president of the ATP Players' Council shocked even more with bizarre appearances in the universe of social media or with provocative interviews. In an Instagram conversation with the esoteric Chervin Jafarieh, the 33-year-old industry leader argued that "there are some people who create the most toxic food through energetic transformation, through the power of prayer, through the power of gratitude to transform the most polluted water into healing water. "Then he added:" Scientists have proven that the molecules in the water react to our feelings, to what was said. "All of this looked as strange as the memorable insane Appearance of US President Donals Trump, who had talked about disinfectants as therapy for the Corona virus.
Djokovic and the compulsory vaccination
Nevertheless, it was not the first violent controversy about and with Djokovic in the greatest social challenge of modern times. Because early on in the pandemic, when it seemed only possible to continue the global tour with an effective vaccination, Djokovic had refused to do so. "I generally don't want anyone to force me to take a vaccine to travel," said Djokovic .
The criticism was not long in coming, and it came from his native Serbia. The epidemiologist Predrag Kon, a member of the national crisis team, said: "I would have liked to have had the opportunity to explain to Djokovic the importance and immense contribution of vaccinations to the health of the population." Spain's matador Rafael Nadal handled the rival dry : “If the tour prescribes a vaccination to protect everyone, then Djokovic must be vaccinated. Otherwise he cannot play. "
"Far from being a role model"
Now it is not just about Djokovic alone, but also about the external representation of the entire tennis scene. And then the nagging of the 17-time Grand Slam winner on the brave plan of the US Open makers seems quite elitist - and also not very representative of the international group of artists. Because, as the American Danielle Collins noted for many from the industry, the event offers many “finally the chance to make money again. And then someone from the top of the world says that it is impossible to bring just one person to New York. ”
That, according to Collins, is the normal case for many players year in and year out - "and not the exception in a crisis." Djokovic's statements also thwarted the image of solidarity among the professionals, which was rated as lower after a relief effort by the top 100 players According to a German actor, players were drawn: "He is far from being a role model at this time."