Stefanos Tsitsipas is about to start his season in Australia, trying to win his first major. Unfortunately, it is becoming more and more plausible that the world number 1 Novak Djokovic will not defend his title. Novak is notoriously against vaccinations. In order to compete at the Australian Open, all players need to be fully vaccinated unless they obtain a medical exemption (a rare case).
Tsitsipas supporting Djokovic
There are a lot of speculations and a big controversy about Djokovic’s position.
Stefanos Tsitsipas was also harshly criticized for stating that he would get vaccinated only to avoid restrictions to have a normal life.
During a recent interview with Sky Sport, Stefanos Tsitsipas said he respects Djokovic and his freedom to choose. The Greek player commented:
“It is his choice; I respect it. Everyone has the freedom to decide. I will go to Australia.”
“I don’t promote vaccination, but I’m not even against it. I support anyone who wants to do it. I am not a doctor, I am an athlete and my outlook may not be the best when it comes to medicine. I will be vaccinated this year. I do it to have a normal life,” he commented.
Stefanos Tsitsipas in 2021
Now ranked no.
4, Stefanos played his last match on the 15th of November when he was defeated by world no.5 Andrey Rublev 6-4 6-4 in the round robin in the Nitto ATP Finals (draw).Presently, during this year Tsitsipas owns a composed 55-19 record. The Greek has won 2 titles in 2021 in Monte-Carlo and in Lyon. Stefanos was the runner-up in Acapulco, in Barcelona and at the French Open.
Novak Djokovic in 2021
At the moment ranked no.1, Djokovic played his last match on the 3rd of December when he defeated world no.30 Marin Cilic 6-4 6-2 in the Rubber 2 of the Davis Cup (draw).
At the moment, during this season Novak has achieved a 55-7 match record. The Serbian has won 5 titles in 2021 at the Australian Open, in Belgrade, at the French Open, in Wimbledon and in Paris. Djokovic was the finalist in Rome and at the U.S. Open.
Stefanos Tsitsipas and Novak Djokovic faced off 8 times. Their current head to head is 6-2 for Djokovic. Previously, the last time they squared off, Novak Djokovic won 6-7(6) 2-6 6-3 6-2 6-4 in the final in Paris (French Open) on the 13th of June 2021.
You can watch the highlights in the following video.
Stefanos Tsitsipas and Novak Djokovic |
| Embed from Getty Images |