By Sheila Mckenzie-
Former world No.1 Marcelo Rios was very irresponsible when he called Novak Djokovic ‘stupid’ over his vaccination stance, a survey of British Italians say.
64% of 2,000(1,280) Italians surveyed over a one week period told The Eye Of Media.Com that the former tennis ace was out of order to openly describe another tennis player as the king of stupidity, simply because he has missed out on tournaments due to his strong convictions against being vaccinated.
Italians were spoken to at restaurants and bars in West London over a one week period to get their considered views about the condescending comment by the 64 year old Rios, in order to actually get a feel of how they perceived his comments. A number of them were unaware of the comments made by the retired tennis star, but some had heard those comments
Djokavic has been subjected to much victimization in the media for his decision not be vaccinated, ever since the 20-time grand-slam champion missed the Australian Open in January after he was deported from the country on account of his decision not to get vaccinated against Covid-19.
Djokavic on that occasion demonstrated a level of intolerable negligence when he met up with a journalist besides testing positive for Covid-19, and not being vaccinated.
His poor judgement led to much consternation and criticism in the press, and rightly so.
The tennis ace after a while was subjected to further victimization in the media, particularly the British press as commentators, celebrities, and even sportsmen took turns in jumping on the bandwagon to vilify his decision not to be vaccinated.
This despite the genuine fears some have about being vaccinated, even with its protective values in protecting the public from infections.
The main fact many people who have been double vaccinated have still been infected , and in some cases hospitalized, has made the topic very touch and controversial. Some people are understandably frightened about being vaccinated.
Thankfully, the likes of myself who has been double vaccinated has never caught Covid-19, let alone been infected, but do not agree with those who find it necessary to isolate those who for personal reasons choose not to be vaccinated.
In the case of Djokavic, the tennis ace has been prepared to miss out on tournaments because of his own convictions, a personal matter for him surely. He was also absent at Indian Wells and Miami due to restrictions on unvaccinated players has been subject to fierce criticism over the months.
Novak Djokavic Image:skysports.com
His fierce rival Rafael Nadal ended up winning the season’s first grand-slam in Melbourne, nudging ahead to 21 in the race to finish with the most slams.
However, after Rios, the 2008 Australian Open runner-up, described Djokavic as the king of stupidity, his comments were closely scrutinized and assessed for its substance.
Speaking to La Tercera newspaper, Rios said: ‘I thought the same [initially], but then I started travelling and I had to take it.
‘I don’t know what the reason is, but if you’re trying to be the best in history and you’re going to give up the race for some vaccines, you have to be the king of stupidity.
‘I believe that at first it was out of fear, but now he is being too arrogant.’
Rios comments that he once thought the same, but compromised due to the fact he started travelling has been interpreted to mean him succumbing to the pressure of being vaccinated due to his career, and fails to address the individual choice of another who takes issue with being vaccinated.
A sample of Italians in the Uk(where Rio hails from) were surveyed over his comments
Giulia Berlusconi, 26, told The Eye Of Media.Com: ” I think it is very arrogant for a former tennis player to accuse another of being the king of stupidity, just because they take a different decision from them.
Rios obvious decision to be vaccinated was for travel purposes, but Djokavic like some others have the right to refuse to compromise if they strongly disagree with it. I know many people say it is inconsiderate of others, but we all know the vaccine does not guarantee preventing others from catching the virus”.
Another Italian girl, Greta Rausi, 32, said: ” I think it is important to be vaccinated, but Rio was wrong to publicly try to victimize Djokavic, who is a modern star of the sport. He may have given the impression that he is seeking attention by coming out to say something like that. As a former legend of the sport, he should not have been following others and jumping on the bandwagon to criticize Djokavic. It was low, and bad taste”.
Lorenzo Ricci, 34, said: ‘Honestly, a former tennis star should not be pushing his views like that about another man’s career so negatively. Unless he has been hired to attack Djokavic, he had no right to express a view that some will even see as weak and inferior.
‘We all have different opinions. Some are higher than others, some are lowers, some are just opinions, with no right or wrong. Some might even be stupid opinions, but they are still opinions. If Djokavic who has the career and achievements along with legacies to fight for, what right has anybody else to label him the king of stupidity. I think Rio acted stupid himself, with all his experience of life, he should have known better”.
who was also absent at Indian Wells and Miami due to restrictions on unvaccinated players has been subject to fierce criticism over the months
who was also absent at Indian Wells and Miami due to restrictions on unvaccinated players has been subject to fierce criticism over the months
Mele e Pere, Soho Image: Tina Wing
Rio’s comments branding Djokavic stupid made headlines, until a member of this publication’s thinktank suggested a survey and proper evaluation of those comments.
A two day survey revealed that 53% of a small random sample of brits felt that Rio was wrong to have referred to him as stupid. 47% felt it was either right or a matter of opinion for the former tennis ace to refer to Djokavic as stupid.
River Cafe in Hammersmith Image: Tina Wing
The views of Australians in the Uk are also to be sought, not only with respect to Rios comments, but also in terms of their perception of the controversies that have surrounded Djokavic’s career, especially during his visit in Australia which led to his deportation.
The views of Australians and Italians in the Uk can provides a reflective snap view of the thoughts of Italians and Australians in the Uk, but will not always provide a perfect views of Australians and Italians in their respective countries.
Marcio Rio may have been reflecting the general mood in Italy, though he was quite possibly Being in the environment in question can have a very different effect o people’s mind, but Italians and Australians in general in the Uk are in a position to have an opinion on the comments made by Rio about Djokavic in the media.
Celebrities have expressed anger and disappointment at the BBC interview featuring Djokavic’s insistence not to be vaccinated, arguing that such a platform would fuel anti vaxx groups.