Why would Novax Djokovic never be able to achieve what Federer-Nadal has?
It’s War. Unprecedented. Never seen before, never imagined situations like these. For over two years, people’s lives have come to a halt. Millions have lost their lives, and millions of families are devastated. COVID has turned the world upside down. And still, there’s no end in sight. But amidst all this darkness, there is a silver lining. All of medical science and scientists are sure that masks and vaccinations are the only things that can save humanity right now. But still, we see some clowns, with no medical expertise, refusing vaccination and proudly wearing Anti-Vaxxer labels. And the poster boy of this anti-vaxxer community is none other than the most high-profile anti-vaxxer — Novak Djokovic.
It’s no mistake. No-Vax is the right name, though he is nicknamed — Nole, Djoker. Who would have ever thought a player of such talent and stature would succumb to this irrational unscientific nonsense and become a global laughingstock? NoVax is not ready for vaccination. And, drawing unneeded inspiration from his deed, a slew of people are now refusing to get vaccinated. Why is that so? Why are there so many clowns who don’t believe in science? Why are they endangering the lives of those around them as well as their own? Is it really that difficult to see the suffering of those who are dying? Is it really so difficult to empathize with the rest of the world? Do you deserve to be respected if you can’t even do this? You might mint a hell lot of money, you might win a thousand matches, and you might keep on stacking and overflowing your trophy cabinet, but you will never be someone who is loved, respected, and idolized by the younger generation.
Is Djokovic a good tennis player? Of course, he is a great tennis player. He has won slams and titles that people can only dream of. I’ll never forget Roger Federer losing two championship points to Djokovic in the 2019 Wimbledon final. His mental strength on the court, especially at tight clutch points, is perhaps unmatched. Looking at the records and numbers, he has a phenomenal track record. No one can question his ability to play quality tennis. But Just This! Nothing more! A highly skilled athlete in the sport, A highly capable professional in the field. That’s it!
Even a Kangana would look brilliant on screen if she were given a good script, a good directorial and filmmaking team, a spoonful of talent, and some hard work. But the moment she speaks up offscreen, it’s a disaster. A handful of such memorable performances does not qualify her for inclusion in the pantheon of all-time greats. She and her ilk behave as if they are certified idiots. Shouldn’t they be known only for being good at their professions for a brief period and nothing else? Unfortunately, I am unwillingly compelled to say that Djokovic now falls into this category.
On the other hand, if you look at the other two, Federer and Nadal, you see class and grace radiating out of their personalities both on and off the court. The exact opposite of Mr. NoVax. Someone like me, who watches tennis religiously, as well as all other fellow tennis fans, is well aware of the history of meltdowns on court, racket smashings from time to time, unnecessary medical timeouts, and the infamous, historic disqualification of the 2020 US Open for hitting the line judge.
Novax, apart from being an anti-vaxxer, believes in the power of magical healing and new-age quackery. He talks to his water and detoxifies his food and water just by the power of prayer. He believes in changing the molecular structure of water just by looking at it and drinking that holy water, but he doesn’t trust medical science. I am not making this up. He said this on record, now available in the public domain. Earlier in 2020, when the pandemic started engulfing the world, killing thousands, Novax organized a tennis tournament “Adria Tour” where he was spotted without masks . Following that, Novax and his wife were both infected with COVID. Unwillingly, he was forced to publicly apologize for this shambolic tournament during a pandemic.
The reason for this article is the recent controversy surrounding the Australian Open 2022. The ongoing Australian visa fiasco could have been easily avoided if a simple rule had been followed. He only needed to be vaccinated like all the other players, according to tournament rules. All this drama could have been avoided. Well, as the details are emerging, it is now known that he tested positive for COVID on the 16th of December and after that he was spotted posing for photographs with children in public in Serbia and Spain, putting everyone’s life in jeopardy. Celebrities should be aware of their responsibilities, as they are watched by millions of people. What a disastrous and controversial figure he has become off the courts.
His parents and die-hard fans obviously support him, but calling him the savior, the avatar of Jesus, Spartacus of the new world and putting on a PR stunt isn’t helping his cause! He has provided false proof just to play in this year’s Australian Open. After testing positive in December, he violated all COVID restrictions. How can you expect fans to respect such a sportsperson? I won’t be surprised if he becomes an undisputed leader of all the evolution-deniers, flat-earthers and the anti-vaxxers. It’s sad that we’ve arrived at a position where everything leads to an athlete who is ethically and morally corrupt.
On one hand, there’s this Joker (that’s what his fans like to call him), and then there’s Federer and Nadal. 20 years to embrace this sport with grace, integrity, friendliness, sportsmanship, and leading by example. Not even a single controversy at this level. There is a reason why both Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal are loved by not only their respective fan bases, but by the vast majority of tennis fans worldwide. No wonder, for the 19th year in a row, Federer was voted as the winner of Fan’s Favorite in the recent ATP Awards. Winning the fans’ favourite award for 19 years in a row is no joke! You watch Nadal speak and you realize what being humble means, what sportsmanship spirit is.
For being the Greatest Of All Time, GOAT, it’s not just about winning the titles; it’s about going above and beyond! You could have all the titles and outnumber everyone, but what matters most is what you’ll be remembered for. What have you given back to the game of tennis? If you have to scream for the crowd’s support and approval, then you should think again. Respect must be earned, not demanded. To be an all-time great, you have to make your sport proud. Don’t be the child of controversies, don’t be the thorn in the side of the sport’s reputation, and don’t bring shame to the sport. You have to be the brand ambassador of the sport so that the world looks up to you and everything that you do. Only then would you be considered a contender for the Greatest of ALL Time, the GOAT debate.
Peace!
