Nick Kyrgios criticizes Novak Djokovic’s treatment, Australia should ‘do better’ Tennis News – Times of India

Melbourne: Novak Djokovik has received support from one of its staunch critics with Nick Kyrgios Criticizing the way the world number one was treated in Australia, he said the authorities should do better for “one of our great champions”.
Djokovic, who has won a record nine Australian Open Title, was detained at Melbourne airport on Wednesday evening and had his entry visa revoked, backed by a medical exemption from the country’s vaccination requirements.
Federal Border Force officials at the airport said Djokovic was unable to justify the grounds for his exemption.
Chasing a men’s record 21st Grand Slam, Djokovic has been held in immigration custody as his lawyers battle to secure his release to play at the Australian Open and be freed from strict COVID-19 vaccination requirements .
Kyrgios, who dubbed Djokovic a “tool” after the Serb sought to improve quarantine conditions for players ahead of last year’s Grand Slam, said the situation was handled poorly.
Kyrgios tweeted, “Look, I definitely believe in taking action, I’ve been vaccinated for the cause of others and my mother’s health, but how we’re handling Novak’s situation is really bad.” Is.”

“Like these memes, in the headlines, it’s one of our great champions, but at the end of the day, he’s human. Do better.”
American player John Isner said that Djokovic has followed all the rules and he does not deserve this kind of behavior.
“The phase Novak is going through right now is not right,” Isner said on Twitter. “There’s no justification for the treatment he’s receiving… it’s a great shame.”

Former US Open champion Marin Cilic expressed hope that the situation would be resolved quickly and that the whole episode was not good for the game.
“Surely it’s not a good picture TennisCilic told reporters in Adelaide on Friday.
The Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA), the separate players’ body started in 2020 by Djokovic, said in a statement that they were in close contact with him.
“Djokovic has confirmed his well-being to us,” the PTPA said in a statement. “He has also requested that we allow him personally to share the facts of his custody in his own words and in his own time.”
Djokovic has consistently refused to disclose his vaccination status, publicly criticizing mandatory vaccines.
Rafa Nadal, who is looking for a 21st Grand Slam title at Melbourne Park, was among those who revealed the Serb had known for months that he could potentially face problems if he arrived without vaccination against COVID-19. Can do.
German tennis great Boris Becker, who coached Djokovic to six majors, urged him to get vaccinated.
“As his former coach I am so close to Novak Djokovic that I almost treat him as family – but like all families sometimes you have differences of opinion,” Baker wrote in a Daily Mail column.
“And on this occasion I think he is making a huge mistake in not getting vaccinated. It is one that threatens the remainder of his career and his opportunity to cement himself as the greatest player of all time. Is.”
Baker, however, was unsure whether Djokovic would change his mind.
“The same unbelievable determination that I saw winning such close matches, with his stubbornness, could be vulnerable,” Baker said. “Will Novak make that move? I’m not sure he will.
“He’s incredibly strong-willed, with a lot of strong convictions. If he doesn’t, in 10 years he’ll look back at it and realize he’s made a mistake.”