Novak Djokovic surprised by Nick Kyrgios’ Australian Open comments
Novak Djokovic has admitted he found Nick Kyrgios agreeing with his Covid-19 vaccination stance “unexpected”, especially after their previous feud.
The World number one has recently refused to commit to his participation in the Australian Open as he waits until official rules are set. This decision comes after the confusion and contradiction amongst Australian politicians over the Australian Open.
On his No Boundaries podcast, Nick Kyrgios recently said “I don’t think the Australian Open should go ahead, just for the people in Melbourne – you’ve got to send a message.”
Kyrgios stated that whilst he doesn’t think it is “morally right” for unvaccinated players to travel to Melbourne, he also didn’t want vaccinations to be made mandatory.
“I’m double-vaccinated but I just don’t think it’s right to force anyone, yet an athlete, (and say) ‘you can’t come here and play because you’re not vaccinated’,” Kyrgios said.
Djokovic and Kyrgios have had an altercation in the past when Kyrgios previously admitted he didn’t have “much respect” for the World number one, calling him a “strange cat”.
When asked about Kyrgios’ vaccination comments in a recent press conference, Djokovic said “that was unexpected, knowing what was coming from him towards me in the last couple of years.
“But this time I must agree with him that the freedom of choice is essential for everyone, whether it’s me or somebody else.
“Doesn’t really matter whether it’s vaccination or anything else in life. You should have the freedom to choose, to decide what you want to do. In this particular case, what you want to put in your body.
“I have been always a proponent of that and always a supporter of freedom of choice, and I will be always supporting that because freedom is essential for I’d say a happy and prosperous life.”
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