The fact that Novak Djokovic was knowingly infected with Corona at an event with children is “misinformation”. The tennis star vehemently defends himself against the allegations, which he sees as “hurting and disturbing” for his family. Yes, how can you put something so bottomless into the world? In the victim role, he feels good, the number one in the world.
Oh yes. The fact that he knew about his infection a day later and still appeared for an agreed interview with the French sports newspaper “L’Equipe”, he now quite understandably describes as an “error of judgement”. A misjudgment on his part, as he noticed after “more careful consideration”. That doesn’t help his credibility. Rather the opposite.
Djokovic chose the lesser of two evils
With his confession, Djokovic only chose the lesser of two evils. The growing outrage at his public appearances and the parallel growing doubts about the authenticity of the positive test made the tennis star difficult to explain. Any remotely credible account of the events surrounding the ominous December 16 would cast him in a very bad light.
If the test is real, he then acted ruthlessly and antisocially, putting his fellow human beings, including children, at risk with his behavior. If the test is falsified or manipulated in order to obtain an exemption for his entry into Australia, he is a scammer. Better to be antisocial then.
Otherwise his visa would be canceled faster than he can say “Down Under”. Further legal steps would follow. In the worst case, Djokovic faces a three-year entry ban. There, where he has won the Australian Open nine times and thus the majority of his 20 Grand Slam successes.
Those consequences in the back of his mind belittle his admission. Short-term outrage instead of long-term and larger consequences. It doesn’t look all that kosher.
Sum of “mistakes” makes Djokovic unbelievable
Like his flawed visa application. In the immigration form, Djokovic stated that he had not traveled in the 14 days before his flight to Australia. A lie. Or as he now puts it: “A human error.” However, not from him, but from his agent. He did it “certainly not on purpose”.
In combination with the insufficient documentation of his medical exemption, the last spark of credibility has long since gone out.
In the last few days, his family has given everything to portray their superstar as a great freedom fighter. Father Srdjan down-to-earth compared his son to Jesus. How deluded can you be?
It’s no longer about freedom. It’s also not about whether Djokovic is vaccinated or not. That remains his private affair. But then he has to live with the consequences. Legally, socially and morally. The rules apply to everyone. This is the freedom of those who have been fighting the pandemic for two years.
Djokovic also faces legal consequences in Serbia
Even in his homeland, where he is revered and idolized, he is threatened with legal action because of his behavior. Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic told the BBC that she could not know when Djokovic became aware of his test result. If he went to the event knowingly having tested positive, he would clearly have violated Serbian law.
Corona test results are communicated via SMS messages in Serbia. That works very quickly. “We have one of the most efficient systems in the world,” said the politician. But maybe Djokovic had no reception either. Or his agent is to blame.
Novak Djokovic is an incredible tennis player, maybe the best of all time. But he’s also a ruthless narcissist. This makes his entire story unbelievable.
