By Shaun Murphy-
Former world No.1 Marcelo Rios has called Novak Djokovic ‘stupid’ over his vaccination stance, in a scathing attack against the former No 1. The 20-time grand-slam champion Djokovic 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.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.
The 34-year-old also temporarily lost his status as world No 1 to Daniil Medvedev, although the Russian’s turbulent form saw Djokovic snatch the ranking back.
Djokavic’s absences cleared the way for Daniil Medvedev to briefly replace him as world no.1 and saw Rafael Nadal beat Djokovic and Roger Federer to a record 21st Grand Slam.
Fans and critics alike fear Djokovic could derail his legacy amid his vaccine stance , due to the prohibitive rules that bar him from taking part enter several tournaments due to his status. Former World No 1 and 1998 Australian Open runner-up Rios is the latest figure in the sport to vent his frustrations over Djokovic.
“It’s stupid, he is going to give up the race and he is not going to be the best in history because of a vaccine,” Rios told the La Tercera newspaper . “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.”ow 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.”
The criticism comes as Djokavic prepares to begin his clay-court campaign against Spaniard Alejandro Davidovich Fokina at the Monte Carlo Masters. He will look to draw confidence from his performances on the surface in 2021, when he clinched titles at Roland Garros and the Belgrade Open and advanced to the final at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia.
In February, Djokovic told the BBC that he was willing to forgo future Grand Slam wins, and therefore becoming the most decorated Slam player in history, in order to maintain his position in vaccines. Asked why, he responded: “Because the principles of decision making on my body are more important than any title or anything else. I’m trying to be in tune with my body as much as I possibly can.”
However, the tennis ace today told reporters he is prepared to move forward and make the ebst of the
You have to deal with everything that probably has been dormant inside and is maybe waiting to come out,” Djokovic said as he reflected on the Australian Open debacle.
“I’m trying to deal with it on a daily basis or weekly basis, whatever. If something surfaces, I acknowledge it, but I move on.
“It’s not something that is bothering me on a daily basis so to say, I don’t feel like it has left huge scars on me that I’m unable to train or participate in tournaments or live my life, far from that.
“But it has definitely been a very challenging few months and something I’ve never experienced before. So I’ll try to use that as a fuel for what’s coming up.”
On being deported from Australia in a high-profile legal battle between the star and the country’s government, he added: “It was very, very hard. While I was still at the airport, I couldn’t use my phone for three, four hours. I was lost, really, I didn’t know what was happening.
“I was never against vaccination, but I’ve always supported the freedom to choose what you put in your body. I was never against vaccination. I understand that globally, everyone is trying to put a big effort into handling this virus and seeing, hopefully, an end soon to this virus.”
Novak Djokovic feels that he is fully motivated and ready to test himself against the world’s best players once again as he prepares to play at his second tour-level event of the season at the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters this week.
“I still feel motivated to be on the Tour and compete with young guys and try to challenge the best players in the world for the biggest titles,” Djokovic said in his pre-tournament press conference.
“I’m very pleased to be here and Monaco has been home for over ten years. I have been eagerly waiting for the moment when I will be out competing again, so this is the best place where I could possibly start.”
Novak Djokavic Image:tennisworld.com
The Serbian will begin his clay-court campaign against Spaniard Alejandro Davidovich Fokina and is hoping he can take confidence from his strong results on the surface in 2021, when he clinched titles at Roland Garros and the Belgrade Open and advanced to the final at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia.
“Clay court is the surface on which I grew up in Serbia and played many years only on that surface actually. Historically it hasn’t been my most successful surface, but I have had some big success on clay. [The] Roland Garros win last year is still fresh in my memory, so I try to use that as an inspiration to kick-start the clay-court season [in the] best possible way.
“I understand that I probably won’t be at my best at the beginning of this week. I am still testing my engine, so to say, and building my game, so it will take obviously some time, some matches to really get in the groove and find the competitive play that I really need.” Djokovic arrives at the third ATP Masters 1000 event of the season as the World No. 1, having reclaimed top spot on 21 March, after temporarily losing it to Daniil Medvedev for three weeks from 28 February.
The 34-year-old, who reached the quarter-finals in Dubai in February, knows that a deep run in Monte Carlo will maintain his position at the top of the sport.
“Being World No. 1 is the highest achievement that you can have in our sport, so I’ll try to maintain that position as much as possible,” Djokovic said.
Despite his off-court distractions, Djokovic declared his intentions to add to his collection of Grand Slam titles as he tries to hunt down Nadal. The French Open is his next opportunity to add further silverware – and he is the defending champion.
“I still feel motivated to be on the tour and compete with young guys and try to challenge the best players in the world for the biggest titles,” Djokovic – who won in Monte Carlo in both 2013 and 2015 – said. “I’m very pleased to be here and Monaco has been home for over 10 years.
“I have been eagerly waiting for the moment when I will be out competing again, so this is the best place where I could possibly start.” Djokovic will face Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the opening round at the Monte Carlo Masters.