Top five controversies which surrounded tennis superstar Novak Djokovic

The Serbian was recently denied entry in Australia after he failed to meet the requirements for an exemption to COVID-19 rules.

Serbian tennis player and world No.1 Novak Djokovic has become synonymous to controversies in the last few years. There’s no doubt that he is and continues to be one of the finest players at the age of 34. But he’s often found engaged in some or the other controversial activities which have also revealed the stubborn as well as furious side of the player.

Let’s take a look at the top five controversies which surrounded Novak Djokovic.

5. Organising Adria Tour

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit the world, the tennis circuit also came to a halt. However, the Serbian superstar found it difficult to hang his racquet for a while as he organised the Adria Tour, which was a series of events in Balkans. Djokovic was joined by other players from the international circuit like Aleksander Zverev, Dominic Thiem, Grigor Dimitrov and Marin Cilic at the Adria Tour.

A lot of tickets were sold as the tournament wasn’t held behind closed doors. But things didn’t go well as the second weekend, which was to be played in Croatia, was called off after a few participating players tested positive, which included Dimitrov, followed by Borna Coric and Viktor Troicki.

Djokovic had to go through heavy criticism following the incident as players from around the circuit called it a ‘foolishness’ to hold such events on a large scale. 

4. Hitting the line judge

Djokovic was once again seen making headlines at the US Open 2020 after a hitting a ball out of frustration, which accidently hit the line judge in the throat. This saw the dream of winning the title getting shattered for the world No.1 as he was defaulted from the tournament for his act, which was cited as ‘ball abuse’.

3. Asking for a list of demands to be fulfilled

Before the beginning of the Australian Open 2021, Djokovic sent a list of demands which included private houses for tennis players with a private tennis court for training, reduction of days in the quarantine period during the stay and that the players should be allowed to see their coaches. All these demands led to huge criticism against Djokovic as people believed that the demands were unreasonable and unjustified during a worldwide pandemic.

2. Not wearing a mask in a match at the Australian Open

The 2021 edition of the Australian Open saw Novak Djokovic playing for the title against Daniil Medvedev in the final. Most of the players were found taking the COVID-19 precautions as they wore a mask while entering. However, Djokovic entered without wearing mask in the final and was also booed during the final at the time of his entry. A lot of people took to twitter and said that Djokovic should have been charged for not following the rules.

1. Not allowed to participate in Australian Open 2022

Novak Djokovic was denied entry in Australia On January 6, 2022 after he failed to meet the requirements for an exemption to COVID-19 rules. The defending Australian Open champion had earlier announced on social media that he was granted exemption. However, his visa for entry into Australia was revoked and he was detained at the airport for about eight hours. Later, the Australian Open tournament director gave a statement revealing that Djokovic failed to provide a proof of medical exemption of not being vaccinated. 

There has been a lot of social media divide over the detention of the world No.1 as few people called it as unfair for him while the others took it as biasness of giving ‘elite’ players the exemption to play tournaments.

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