“Djokovic has a different view of life,” says Boris Becker

Dhe three-time Wimbledon winner and former coach Boris Becker has criticized Novak Djokovic. “I think he’s making a big mistake not to get vaccinated,” wrote the German tennis legend in a guest post for the Daily Mail. This mistake threatens what remains of his career and the chance to perpetuate himself as the best player in history. Becker trained the Serb from 2013 to 2016. During this time, Djokovic won six Grand Slam tournaments, including the Australian Open, and became number one again in the world.

Becker continued to write that he was in contact with Djokovic’s current coach Goran Ivanisevic after they arrived at Melbourne Airport. But he stayed in another room because everything was okay with his visa. He has not yet spoken to Djokovic, but “I would strongly advise getting vaccinated – whether he would listen to me is another matter,” said Becker. The rules are to be accepted, he emphasized.

Despite all the outrage about Djokovic’s vaccination status, Becker also found conciliatory words for his former protégé. “He is a fine young athlete with the right attitude and the right character. He just has a different view of life. How he eats, how he drinks and how he sleeps. You can’t criticize him, “said the 54-year-old in an interview with the” BBC “. “Maybe that’s why it’s so successful, but I understand that it’s not everyone’s cup of tea,” Becker added.

Two nights in the “Park Hotel”

Djokovic wants to play at the Australian Open, which starts on January 17th. Because he is obviously unvaccinated, but usually a vaccination certificate is required before entering the country, the 34-year-old obtained a – highly controversial – medical exemption.

With this he landed on Wednesday evening (local time) in Melbourne. However, the border guards did not see the entry rules met, so Djokovic had to spend two nights in the “Park Hotel” for those obliged to leave the country, which also accommodates rejected asylum seekers. Djokovic has sued against it. A court in Melbourne wants to make a decision on Monday.

How exactly Djokovic received his medical exemption and why his free entry ultimately failed is still not known. One thing is clear: At the Australian Open, vaccination is mandatory for tennis professionals for the first time at a top event. According to tournament boss Craig Tiley, 26 professionals or supervisors applied for a special permit at the Australian Open. In a “handful” of cases that worked. Defending champion Djokovic is the only one known by name.

Criteria for entry probably not met

According to the Australian media, however, the Serb’s problem seems to be that the tournament management and the state of Victoria, whose capital is Melbourne, granted Djokovic an exception to participate in the Australian Open – but not per se for entering the country beforehand justified.

According to reports, Djokovic obtained the exemption to participate in the Grand Slam tournament on the basis of his corona infection, reported the Australian news agency AAP. From the authorities’ point of view, this is probably not enough. Therefore, the athlete’s visa was probably canceled after it was checked at the airport.

The world number one receives support from home. Father Srdjan Djokovic called for demonstrations in the capital, Belgrade, on Thursday. Hundreds of Protestants followed the call, numerous participants waved Serbian flags or carried banners, including the words: “You are afraid of the best, stop corona fascism”.

Players union PTPA defends Djokovic

The tennis players’ union PTPA also stood behind its president and co-founder. Djokovic is doing well, it said in a message from the panel on Friday. Djokovic asked to share “the facts about his determination” in his words and at a self-determined time. The Serb founded the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA) together with the Canadian Vasek Pospisil in August 2020 to compete with the existing players’ council of the men’s organization ATP.

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“With the greatest respect for all personal opinions on vaccinations, vaccinated and unvaccinated (with a medical exemption) athletes should be given the same freedom” to participate in tournaments, the players’ union demanded.

Djokovic’s father Srdjan should have taken the PTPA’s words with goodwill. He had previously compared the situation of his son with the suffering of Christ and raged that Djokovic was “in prison”.

Interior Minister confirms further problem cases

Australian authorities denied this allegation. “Mr. Djokovic is not being held in Australia, he can go at any time, and the border guards would be happy to help,” said Interior Secretary Karen Andrews on ABC News on Friday. At the same time, she confirmed two other problem cases in connection with the Australian Open, which are now being examined by the border guards. She did not mention names.

Politically, relations between the two countries have been tense since the case became known. The Serbian Foreign Ministry even called in the Australian ambassador and defended the athlete: “Djokovic is not a criminal, terrorist or illegal immigrant, but was treated in such a way by the Australian authorities, which understandably arouses outrage among his fans and the citizens of Serbia.” Some supporters demonstrate in Melbourne until late Thursday evening in front of the hotel where Djokovic is staying. They lit candles.

In Australia, however, the impression of preferential treatment for the nine-time Australian Open winner triggered anger and outrage – especially since even numerous citizens of the country were unable to travel to their homeland for a long time during the pandemic because Australia had sealed itself off to protect itself against the introduction of the corona virus .