Novak Djokovic has to suck it up and get the shot that will prevent him from the embarrassment he has just suffered at the hands of the Australian government.
The Aussies kicked the world’s No. 1 tennis player out of the country because he refused to follow the nation’s strict protocols it has employed to defend itself against the killer coronavirus.
Djokovic is seeking to win his 21st major tennis title. He has won the Australian Open nine times and thought — I am going to presume — that he should win his 10th and then proclaim himself to be the greatest of all time.
Except that Australia invoked a no-vaccine no-entry policy for anyone. That means, well … anyone! That includes you, Novak! He won’t compete this year or perhaps for the next three years under the Australians’ deportation policy.
I don’t wish him ill. I want him to get vaccinated. I am assuming he has some reason for refusing to be inoculated against the disease. Whatever it is, he perhaps ought to set those reasons aside if he wants to continue his Grand Slam quest.
France has a similar policy to Australia; so does the United Kingdom; and the United States restricts entry of all foreign nationals who aren’t vaccinated. All those countries host the other three major championships.
Get on board, Novak. Or else your wait for making history might fall victim to Father Time.