MADRID, 12 One. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Former German tennis player Boris Becker, three-time Wimbledon champion, criticized this Wednesday as some expressions of the Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic’s family in recent days after the controversy that arose over his entry into Australia and recommended that he be vaccinated against COVID-19.
“The father really crossed the line. Some statements he made four or five days ago today he surely regrets them. Some of his family’s statements surely did not help him,” the former coach of the world number one told Eurosport.
Srdjan, Djokovic’s father, told a press conference in Belgrade that “Jesus was crucified and everything was done to him, but he is alive among us even now.” “Now Novak is being crucified, they are doing everything to him.”
Djokovic’s parents are “very emotional and so is his brother; that’s not always understandable,” Becker said after the controversy that arose with ‘Nole’, whose entry to Australia was denied at first because he is not vaccinated against the coronavirus and the authorities considered the medical exception presented insufficient.
Since border officials did not give him the agreed time to clarify his situation, a judge on Monday ruled in favor of the tennis player, who had been held in a hotel and was released. But it is not yet clear whether he can stay in Australia and participate in the Australian Open. A final decision is expected before Thursday.
“The poor man makes me sad. I know him very well and we continue to be close friends. Some things were done wrong,” said Becker and stressed: “The question is: who was the bad guy in the story? Public opinion considers that it was Novak Djokovic. He committed a double fault, but he had the correct documents, “he said.
The 54-year-old German recommended that, facing the next tournaments in which he participates, the Serbian be vaccinated. “The regulations will become more stringent rather than more relaxed. So my opinion would be: boy, now play the Australian Open the best you can, but then try to understand that if you get vaccinated it will be easier for you. No I know if it will, “Becker said.