Novak Djokovic, the Serbian tennis star, has made history by winning his 22nd Grand Slam title and 10th Australian Open championship. He defeated Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas in the final on Sunday, making him only the second player to achieve this feat. The tennis legend was visibly emotional after the match, as he celebrated with his mother and brother.
Djokovic had to overcome several challenges to reach this point. He had a hamstring injury and received 77 therapies a day according to his coach, Goran Ivanisevic. He also faced media backlash, involving his father who was photographed with a group of fans holding the Russian flag. Despite these obstacles, he was able to stay focused and claim the title.
The tennis star is known for his outspoken stance against mandatory COVID-19 vaccination and his commitment to bodily autonomy. He has previously stated that he would be willing to forgo Grand Slam tournaments if it meant he could remain unvaccinated. This issue was raised again after his victory on Sunday, with tennis legend John McEnroe and sports broadcaster Chris Fowler debating his vaccination status and the tournaments he missed. McEnroe previously spoke out in support of Djokovic’s stance and called the Biden administration’s vaccination mandates “BS”.
Djokovic’s journey to the Australian Open was not easy. In 2022, he was deported from Australia for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine and missing the 2022 Australian Open. He also missed the US Open later that year due to the Biden administration’s vaccine mandate for foreigners entering the country. Despite these challenges, he was able to return to Australia and claim his 10th championship.
In conclusion, Novak Djokovic has shown that he is not only a talented tennis player but also a champion of his beliefs. He has made history with his 22nd Grand Slam title and 10th Australian Open victory, and he has proven that he is a true champion both on and off the court.