Tennis superstar Novak Djokovic famously refused to let a COVID vaccine get under his skin during the pandemic years … but a COVID sledge at Melbourne Park on Friday night did exactly that.
Djokovic has been battling a cold this tournament and has been regularly seen blowing his nose during matches.
On Friday — after winning his third round match against Argentine Tomas Martin Etcheverry in straight sets — he described the cold as “a regular viral infection”.
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During the match, however, a heckler in the crowd decided to remind the world No.1 that COVID was still around.
As Djokovic was about to serve, the person yelled “get vaccinated, mate”.
Of course, in 2022 Djokovic was infamously deported from Australia over a pandemic border row with the federal government.
With the sledge clearly audible in the Rod Laver stadium, Djokovic needed time to compose himself.
He walked away from the baseline as people started to boo.
As always, however, the champion did compose himself and then quickly wrapped up the match after that moment.
Later, however, Djokovic admitted it upsets him when a fan “crosses the line”.
“I’m not going to sit and say it’s all good. It’s not good,” he said.
“Of course, it upsets me. I’m frustrated. I don’t want to be experiencing that.”
During his post-match media conference he was asked by a reporter if he had recently taken a COVID test.
“I haven’t had a Covid test,” Djokovic admitted.
“It’s kind of a regular viral infection that I’ve been through.
“Now it’s in its last stages. I still have some secrete coming out. That’s all it is.”
The 36-year-old was in complete control on Friday night, smashing 34 winners in his 100th match at Melbourne Park and never facing a break point.
He became the third player in Open history to reach the century mark, behind old foe Roger Federer (117 matches) and American legend Serena Williams (105).
The king of Melbourne Park described Friday’s performance as the best of his tournament so far and was in a reflective mood when asked about the milestone.
“I’ve been blessed to go through a very interesting life journey,” Djokovic said.
“Coming from Serbia during the 90s wasn’t easy for my family, and my parents had to endure a lot of adversity economically and in every sense in order for me to live my dream.”
– With AAP