Novak Djokovic news: Marcelo Rios labels Serbian ‘king of stupidity’ over vaccination stance

Shahida Jacobs
April 10, 2022

Marcelo Rios has never been one to mince his words and he didn’t hold back when he was asked about Novak Djokovic’s decision not to get vaccinated against Covid-19.

World No 1 Djokovic was unable to defend his Australian Open title in January after he was deported from the country over his vaccination stance. He then had to watch from Serbia as his great rival Rafael Nadal moved ahead in the race for most Grand Slams as the Spaniard won the season-opening major to move to 21 Slams.

Djokovic has also missed the Sunshine Double – the Indian Wells Open and Miami Open – as regulations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States stipulated that only vaccinated people were allowed to enter the country.

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However, the Serbian is set to return to action at this week’s Monte Carlo Masters while he is also expected to compete at the French Open and Wimbledon.

Former world No 1 and 2008 Australian Open runner-up Rios was asked about Djokovic’s vaccination stance by La Tercera daily newspaper and replied: “It’s stupid, he is going to give up the race and he is not going to be the best in history because of a vaccine.

“I thought the same [initially], but then I started travelling and I had to take it.

“I don’t know what the reason is, but if you’re trying to be the best in history and you’re going to give up the race for some vaccines, you have to be the king of stupidity.

“I believe that at first it was out of fear, but now he is being too arrogant.”

Marcelo Rios Novak Djokovic