"I believe Novak Djokovic is far more likely to get a standing ovation if he is allowed to walk out as defending champion" - Paul McNamee on the Serb being allowed to play at Wimbledon 2022
Paul McNamee recently took to Twitter to share his opinion on Novak Djokovic potentially defending his 2019 Wimbledon title this year, despite not being vaccinated against COVID-19.
Novak Djokovic's decision not to get vaccinated ended up costing him dearly last month, as he was deported from Australia ahead of his 2021 title defense at Melbourne Park. The Serb might not be able to defend his title at Roland Garros this year either, since vaccination against COVID-19 has been deemed mandatory by French authorities.
Having said that, the World No. 1 is likely to play at this year's Wimbledon. It was recently reported that the All England Lawn Tennis Club, which organizes the Grasscourt Slam every year, will be following Great Britain's travel guidelines - which do allow unvaccinated people to enter the country.
These new developments, however, did not sit well with the English media. Simon Briggs of the Telegraph wrote in his column earlier this week that Djokovic "might not find much love" at Wimbledon this year, given his vaccine hesitancy. Tennis veteran Paul McNamee, however, didn't agree with Briggs, as he believes the Serb deserves a "standing ovation" to herald his title defense this year.
"I believe he is far more likely to get a standing ovation IF he is allowed to walk out as defending champion…." Paul McNamee tweeted.
McNamee added that while some skepticism is expected from the tennis universe when it comes to Djokovic's participation at SW'19, those who "respect the game" and "see how he was prepared to give up his place in history" will most probably root for him.
He also lauded the Serb for "standing by his principles" despite his views having been negatively received by most of the tennis community.
"... By those who respect the game, and by those who see he was prepared to give up his place in history, no small thing, by standing by his principles," he added.
I believe he is far more likely to get a standing ovation IF he is allowed to walk out as defending champion…. by those who respect the game, and by those who see he was prepared to give up his place in history, no small thing, by standing by his principles https://t.co/kgewkc4o0X
For what it's worth, it's justifiable for McNamee to have been miffed by the Telegraph journalist's assertions. The journalist went as far as to claim in his article that the Serb could possibly be jeered by the Center Court crowd for his stance on vaccination.
"Wimbledon can be a safe space for Novak Djokovic - but he might not find much love this year," the journalist wrote. "Even if the Centre Court crowd had never warmed to Djokovic, his achievements were always applauded - but in 2022 the boos could ring out."
Novak Djokovic all set to make return to competitive tennis at Dubai Tennis Championships 2022
Novak Djokovic will make his long-awaited return to action at the 2022 Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships later this week. The ATP 500 tournament will mark the Serb's first appearance on the ATP tour since the Davis Cup Finals last year.
Djokovic is a five-time titlist in Dubai and will be joined by the likes of Jannik Sinner, Andrey Rublev and Felix Auger-Aliassime at the hardcourt event.