Tennis star Novak Djokovic scored his revenge at the Australian Open after being banned to participate in 2022.
After getting deported from Australia last year for refusing to show proof of COVID-19 inoculation, Djokovic had the opportunity to win another Grand Slam.
Australia lifted its restrictions on unvaccinated travelers, allowing Djokovic to compete in the 2023 Australian Open in Melbourne.
Djokovic didn’t disappoint and defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas to win his record 10th Australian Open title.
The championship gives Djokovic his 22nd Grand Slam, tying Rafael Nadal for the most major titles in men’s tennis.
🏆2️⃣2️⃣🙏🏼❤️ pic.twitter.com/EozfCqP66s
— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) January 29, 2023
After the championship contest, Tsitsipas reportedly said, “He’s the greatest that has ever held a tennis racket.”
The question many are pondering now:
Is Novak Djokovic the G.O.AT. of men’s tennis?
Novak Djokovic defeats Stefanos Tsitsipas to win his record 10th Australian Open, his record-tying 22nd Grand Slam.
Is Djokovic the G.O.A.T. of men's tennis? pic.twitter.com/M3bAPj7l29
— DailyNoah.com (@DailyNoahNews) January 29, 2023
WATCH:
Novak WINS 2023 Australian Open After Being Deported in 2022
Djokovic defeated opponent Stefanos Tsitsipas in three sets: 6-3, 7-6 (4), 7-6 (5) for his 10th Australian Open championship.
Tsitsipas said after the match, “He’s the greatest that has ever held a tennis racket.” pic.twitter.com/npqtMFe6M7
— The Vigilant Fox 🦊 (@VigilantFox) January 29, 2023
Many people celebrated Djokovic’s victory after Australia’s COVID regime banned the Serbian tennis player in 2022 for defying COVID restrictions.
Absolute hero for humanity. No Vax Needed.
— Jordan Schachtel @ dossier.today (@JordanSchachtel) January 29, 2023
Anyway, thank you @DjokerNole. You inspired the world.
— Jordan Schachtel @ dossier.today (@JordanSchachtel) January 29, 2023
https://t.co/W9PBi49WZz pic.twitter.com/XmaeK4j39u
— Chief Nerd (@TheChiefNerd) January 29, 2023
https://twitter.com/GillianMcKeith/status/1619663409833988099
2022: Novak Djokovic was unable to compete in the Australian Open due to the Australian government's decision to cancel his visa.
2023: Novak Djokovic wins a record 10th Australian Open.
Discrimination is temporary.
Class is permanent. #AustralianOpen #NovakDjokovic𓃵 pic.twitter.com/nxTqfYUNYH— James Melville (@JamesMelville) January 29, 2023
Globalist billionaire Bill Gates was in attendance to watch Djokovic win the Australian Open title.
Priceless: Bill Gates watching the unvaccinated Novak Djokovic win the Australian Open 🤣 pic.twitter.com/t1MwmUi5yV
— Dr. Eli David (@DrEliDavid) January 29, 2023
ESPN reported:
As Djokovic hugged each member of his players’ box, and before he was able to raise the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup, a familiar discussion began to circulate. Who is tennis’ GOAT? And while it’s near impossible to definitively answer this until the Big Three era has officially drawn to a close, there’s no doubt Djokovic’s fortnight Down Under has seen him put his nose in front, once again.
Federer has now hung up his racket and Nadal faces yet another injury layoff. Meanwhile, here’s Djokovic, winning Slams. Earlier in the tournament, he said, “I know I’m in the last quarter of my career,” and while that may be accurate, his tennis would suggest he’s not close to being finished. In fact, what he showcased over the past fortnight in Melbourne, all while battling a nagging hamstring strain, is not all that far away from peak-of-his-power Djokovic.
For the third time in his career, Djokovic dropped just one set along his journey to an Australian Open title. He humiliated local hero Alex de Minaur in the fourth round, repeated the dose against fifth-seeded Andrey Rublev in the quarterfinals and cruised by American Tommy Paul in a lopsided semifinal.
Tsitsipas, the world No. 4, was to be his greatest challenge, but he passed that test with ease, repeating the result of the 2021 French Open final.
Fox News touched on a heated conversation between commentators John McEnroe and Chris Fowler about Djokovic’s deportation last year.
As McEnroe and Fowler recapped all that Djokovic had gone through in the last two years, there was an awkward exchange over the tennis great’s deportation. Djokovic chose not to be vaccinated against the coronavirus, and controversy over his exempt status led to Australian authorities deporting him last year. A second firestorm was avoided earlier this month as Djokovic was able to enter the country without any issues.
“… He gets deported out of Australia. Doesn’t get any points at Wimbledon,” McEnroe said. “Can’t play the [U.S.] Open. …”
Fowler chimed in, “A part of his choices, to be fair. He made choices that led to that for some of those things.”
McEnroe responded, “I don’t think … I think he should have been committed to play.”
“OK, well that’s a debate,” Fowler said. “He did make choices that led to that. … But that’s forgot for the moment.”
McEnroe had been a supporter of Djokovic being able to play in the top tennis tournaments despite his vaccination status. He told Fox News Digital as much when talking about the Serbian star’s status for the 2022 U.S. Open – which hasn’t changed for 2023.
WATCH:
Did you hear @cbfowler cut off @JohnMcEnroe just as he's describing what happened last year? Amazing they won't let the talking points go even now pic.twitter.com/uJzRSAQwsX
— The Aisle Seat (@andredursin) January 29, 2023
Djokovic defied the Covidians and came out victorious.
And some of them remain salty about Djokovic’s stance against the COVID-19 shot.
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