Novak Djokovic, one of the world’s best tennis players, left Australia at the beginning of the year in the midst of controversy due to his refusal to get vaccinated against Covid. This decision put him at odds with Australian health officials who require all visitors entering their country to be fully vaccinated. The incident caused much criticism and outrage among Australians who felt that Djokovic was not taking the virus seriously enough.
The 33-year-old athlete had been playing in an Australian Open tournament when he announced that he would leave the country before getting his mandatory vaccine shot. His statement on social media accounts said that “while respecting and understanding the spirit of the law, I will not be taking any vaccines although I remain committed to doing whatever it takes to keep myself and others safe.”
Djokovic is back to compete.
Now without the restrictions that prevented him from accessing Australia, Djokovic is preparing to face the first grand slam of the year.
According to his official calendar, Djokovic will play in two tournaments, the Adelaide International 1 and the Grand Slam. “I always demand the best of myself, so we’ll see. Over the years, I have been very lucky to start very strong in Australia, and I love playing there”, adds Novak thinking of his comeback in the major.
Novak has stated that this has been the strangest and most stressful season that he has had to face. “I have said a thousand times how unusual this season has been for me. I will not repeat it, but it is a great relief and satisfaction. I look forward to having a couple of weeks off because I’ve been on pins all year, waiting for permits to go some places. So I’m glad we handled it positively.
” Despite the setbacks, Novak has managed to win five titles. Among them, a Masters 1,000 (Rome), his 21st major (Wimbledon), and the Masters Cup.
The favorite to win the Australian Open
Novak Djokovic 2.1
Carlos Alcaraz 6.5
Daniel Medvedev 7.5
Nick Kyrgios 11
Rafael Nadal 12
Jannik Sinner 15
Felix Auger Aliassime 19
According to the odds, Djokovic is the great favorite to win the tournament.
Australian tennis player Paul McNamee spoke in an interview with The Age, stating that he expects the Serb to win his tenth Australian Open.
“Djokovic is still the best. He’s in great shape, and he’s still the best on hard courts, so he deserves to be the favourite.
I think winning his 10th Australian Open would be special for him. Only one tennis player has won the same Grand Slam 10 times, Rafa Nadal at Roland Garros, so I think Djokovic will fight to win his tenth Australian Open, especially after what happened in the last edition. He said and added.
“I hope he wins it. For me, he is a person with principles. We don’t all agree with his stance on vaccination, but he has stood by his word, and he has missed two Grand Slams this year.
He has been missed a lot and more when you are fighting to be the tennis player with the most Grand Slam, so I respect him, and I hope he is well-received.
People forget that he has helped with the vaccination against COVID in Serbia and that his own son is vaccinated. I understand that he has his beliefs, even if they don’t look like the majority.
I am vaccinated, and it was a personal choice. I was very disappointed with what happened, but it is now part of the past.”
Start betting on the Australian Open today.
As the first major of the year approaches, tennis fans worldwide eagerly anticipate the Australian Open.
With less than three weeks to go, now is an excellent time for those looking to make money from betting on this iconic tournament.
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The Australian Open is one of the most exciting sporting events of the year and allows punters to turn a healthy profit – but only if they do their research carefully.