Novak Djokovic news: Grand Slam finalist gives his verdict on the story rocking tennis

Serbia's Novak Djokovic takes a breather

Kevin Palmer
January 14, 2022

Former world No.2 Alex Corretja believes Novak Djokovic’s legacy will be impacted by his visa row in Australia, as he told Tennis365 the story has been negative for tennis.

Speaking in his role as a Eurosport analyst, the two-time French Open finalist gave us his view on a story rocking tennis, after Australian authorities cancelled Djokovic’s visa for a second time on Friday.

Djokovic has been battling with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal to be recognised as the greatest player of all time throughout his career and now Corretja has suggested off-court controversies all contribute to his legacy.

“It will be a part of history, it will remain forever,” said Corretja of his Australian visa row. “It’s not just about the tennis issue, it’s a human situation. You can either be in favour or not in favour, I am vaccinated.

“We sort of created this situation of if you are vaccinated you are in one place, and if you are not vaccinated you are the opposite, or you are the enemy, you are the opponent. I am fully vaccinated, and I am in favour, so I defend this situation, I do respect whoever is not.

“I think Novak in this case he will be remembered because he’s been a champion, he is a champion, he’s probably the greatest of all time. But of course, there are some other issues in his career that people will remember, it doesn’t need to be for good or bad, it’s just part of his history.”

“When deciding who is the greatest player, I think tennis should be always on top of everything, we talk about tennis and whoever wins the tournament – men and women’s – and of course how the tournament itself will develop.”

Corretja also gave us his view on Djokovic and his own stance on vaccines, as he admitted it may be tough for the Serbian to continue in the sport unless he changes his view on the Covid-19 vaccine.

“Well, it’s up to him, it’s his choice, his call,” he added. “I live in a country, and I live in a place in Spain where we need to show the Covid passport if you want to get into the restaurants, and I accepted that and I did get vaccinated because I feel it’s better for me and for the people next to me and I know that this is what’s going on.

“Whoever is not vaccinated and when they ask them for their Covid passport and they don’t have it, well they know the consequences. So, he will need to make a decision whether he wants to or not, it will be his choice and if he goes to places where they ask for this (to be vaccinated) and he doesn’t have it then he will have to decide whether he wants it or not.

“I think he’s got his views of life and he defends them and that’s pretty much what happened with him. You can be someone who accepts some situations, or you fight for your rights and what you believe is right, and I think that’s what he’s doing.

“At the end, he’s showing personality and you can be with him or let’s say maybe you don’t understand why he does it, but it’s the way he is, and I think you need to respect that.”

The Australian Open will be live on discovery+ and Eurosport from January 17th.

Novak Djokovic