Novak Djokovic is not only one of the greatest tennis players in the history of the sport, but he is also a person that constantly tries to help others.
The world no.1 had a sort of brainstorming with Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley with some ideas. Eventually, things badly escalated and both media and social media took advantage of the situation to unfairly criticize Novak. Djokovic was labeled as entitled and arrogant while he just tried to help his colleagues. Craig Tiley also stated that Novak outlined some suggestions, not demands.
Therefore, the Serbian champion decided to post this long statement to clarify his position and gratitude for being in Australia.
“Australia,
In light of recent media and social media criticism for my letter to Craig Tiley (Tournament director of Australian Open), I would like to clarify a few things.
My good intentions for my fellow competitors in Melbourne have been misconstrued as being selfish, difficult, and ungrateful. This couldn’t be farther from the truth.
I genuinely care about my fellow players and I also understand very well how the world is run and who gets bigger and better and why. I’ve earned my privileges the hard way, and for that reason, it is very difficult for me to be a mere onlooker knowing how much every help, gesture, and good word mattered to me when I was small and insignificant in the world pecking order. Hence, I use my position of privilege to be of service as much as I can where and when needed.
I have always had a very good relationship with Craig, and I respect and appreciate all the effort he puts into making the Australian Open a place to look forward to coming back to each year. In our email exchange I used an opportunity to brainstorm about potential improvements that could be made to the quarantine of players in Melbourne that were in full lockdown.
There were a few suggestions and ideas that I gathered from other players from our chat group and there was no harm intended to try and help.
I was aware that the chances were low that any of our suggestions would be accepted, just like my request to quarantine with my team in Melbourne instead of Adelaide, was denied prior to our travel, because of the strict government regulations. Since I couldn’t be with other players in Melbourne, I made myself available to them if needed.
I understand that organizing international sporting events during a pandemic poses health risks to the local community and to the players themselves. Therefore, I would like to express my full gratitude to Tennis Australia, the Australian Government and local citizens for being willing to take this risk with us for the love of the game and the multiple opportunities it brings to the economy of the country and its people. We are honored, and we will all do our best to follow the guidelines and protocols put in place. We do hope that we will be able to nurture our bodies and be ready for the mental and physical endurance and strength tests that are ahead of us once the competition starts.
Things in the media escalated and there was a general impression that the players (including myself) are ungrateful, weak, and selfish because of their unpleasant feelings in quarantine. I am very sorry that it has come to that because I do know how grateful many are. We all came to Australia to compete. Not being able to train and prepare before the tournament starts is really not easy. None of us ever questioned 14 days of quarantine despite what is being said by media outlets.
I am very much looking forward to playing in front of the people and joining the tennis frenzy and energy of the city that has always carried me towards many victories. I am also looking forward to seeing all my fellow players together in Melbourne. I am blown away by the numerous messages of gratitude and love that I have received during these past few days.
Wishing you all health and love,
Novak”
Novak Djokovic in 2021
Currently ranked no.1, Novak played his last match on the 21st of November 2020 when he was overcome by Dominic Thiem 7-5 6-7(10) 7-6(5) in the semifinal in the Nitto ATP Finals (draw).
