Watching Rafael Nadal move ahead of him on the grand slam title count may motivate Novak Djokovic to receive his COVID-19 vaccine, according to reports from his native Serbia.
The world number one was sensationally barred from defending his Australian Open crown last month, when he was deported for the country amid fears his refusal to be vaccinated could provoke ‘anti-vax sentiment’ in the public.
However, seeing long-time rival Nadal claim the title and move to 21 grand slam championships, one more than Djokovic, could be the catalyst for the Serbian to finally get the jab, according to Djokovic’s biographer Daniel Muksch.
“What you hear from the people around him, I think he’s getting vaccinated,” Muksch told Serbian television network Servus TV.
“Maybe the final in Melbourne also contributed to that. Rafael Nadal’s 21 is driving him, no question.”
The news comes as Serbia’s state prosecutors have rejected reports that Djokovic used a fake positive test for COVID-19 to try to enter Australia and defend his title.
The prosecution office said in a statement on Wednesday that it had received a request for criminal proceedings against unnamed individuals who allegedly forged two PCR certificates, which were later used by Djokovic to apply for a medical exemption from vaccination when entering Australia.
“The prosecution acted according to the regulations, checks were performed, and it was determined that Novak Djokovic was tested several times and that the certificates on the test results from December 16, 2021 and December 22, 2021 are valid,” the statement said.
(Photo by Oscar Gonzalez/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Foreign media, including Der Spiegel and the BBC, had reported discrepancies in the serial numbers of the tests Serbian authorities administered to the top-ranked Djokovic ahead of his trip to Australia, suggesting possible irregularities in the way they were issued.
Djokovic’s media team and Serbian health authorities did not respond to requests for comment from The Associated Press. Senior Serbian health officials have previously said that Djokovic’s test was valid.
Djokovic was deported from the country and barred from playing in the Australian Open last month after an 11-day visa saga on the eve of the tournament because he failed to meet strict COVID-19 vaccination requirements.
To enter Australia, Djokovic submitted a positive COVID-19 test issued in Serbia on December 16 for a visa exemption on the grounds that he had recently recovered from the virus.
The 34-year-old player is not vaccinated and the Australian government later decided to cancel his visa and deport Djokovic, saying his presence in Australia could stir anti-vaccination sentiments.
Djokovic is adored in his native Serbia. Since he returned home, he was seen visiting churches and attending liturgies in both Serbia and neighbouring Montenegro.
On Thursday, Djokovic is set to visit Serbia’s populist President Aleksandar Vucic, who has been vocal in denouncing the Australian authorities for deporting the tennis star.
© AAP
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