“I'm so f**king over talking about it” - Rennae Stubbs on Novak Djokovic's COVID-19 vaccine controversy
Former doubles World No. 1 Rennae Stubbs is eager to move past the controversy of Novak Djokovic and his refusal to take the COVID-19 vaccine.
Djokovic made headlines last year when his decision not to take the COVID-19 vaccine got him deported from Australia ahead of the Melbourne Major. For the same reason, he also had to skip big tournaments in North America, including the US Open.
The World No. 1's anti-vaccination beliefs came to light when he took part in a live Facebook chat with fellow Serbian athletes. In that discussion, he spoke about vaccines and how they could impact his participation in events.
“Personally I am opposed to vaccination and I wouldn’t want to be forced by someone to take a vaccine in order to be able to travel,” Djokovic said on 19 April 2020. (via iNews)
“But if it becomes compulsory, what will happen? I will have to make a decision. I have my own thoughts about the matter and whether those thoughts will change at some point, I don’t know.”
With the world slowly but surely moving on from COVID-19, Stubbs hopes to not discuss Djokovic and his vaccination status ever again. Speaking on the latest episode of "The Rennae Stubbs Tennis Podcast," she termed the topic "dumb."
“Thankfully, let's hope it's the end of it because by May this will not be a conversation anymore we ever have to talk about and I'm so f**king over talking about it,” she expressed.
“I'm so over talking about Novak and his vaccine status and the country and I think it's dumb at this point as well. Just let him in, like let's go. I'm honestly so over both sides at this point. I'll be really frank.”
The three-time doubles Grand Slam champion also praised Djokovic for breaking Steffi Graf's 26-year record of holding the World No. 1 ranking for most weeks. On Monday (February 27), the Serbian great entered his 378th career week as the top-ranked player, breaking a tie with fellow 22-time Grand Slam champion Graf.
Novak Djokovic is an inspiration for Holger Rune 👏
#NovakDjokovic #HolgerRune #Tennis https://t.co/gLMarm31ct
Stubbs was also quick to add that Djokovic's achievement was 'unbelievable' as his unvaccinated status forced him to sit out of major tournaments last year.
“Let's give Novak some credit here. 378 weeks at world number one. He passed the Steffi Graph as the most ever player that has held the number one ranking,” she said.
“So, you know, that in and of itself is unbelievable considering how much he shot himself in the foot over the last few years with this vaccine stuff.”
Novak Djokovic sets his sights on Paris Olympics: "I hope best result for me will come there"
Novak Djokovic is a two-time winner on the clay courts of Roland Garros, taking home the title in 2016 and 2021. With the 2024 Olympics set to be held in Paris, the Serbian is hoping to make the most of his familiarity with the claycourts in the French capital to clinch the elusive Olympic gold.
Novak Djokovic is not afraid of the new generations 👏
But can new generation say the same about Novak Djokovic? 💪
#NovakDjokovic #NextGen #Tennis https://t.co/lnkagMqUrC
The World No. 1 won the bronze medal in 2008 and had two fourth-place finishes in 2012 and 2021. He, however, hopes to be healthy enough and compete in the next edition of the Olympic Games to win the gold medal.
"I look forward to Olympics. You mentioned Olympics. I hope that I'll be able to play healthy for next year in Paris Olympic Games. It's going to be played on clay in Roland Garros, so I'm familiar with those grounds," he said at a press conference at the Dubai Tennis Championships.
The Serb will next be seen in action in the quarterfinals in Dubai, where he will take on Hubert Hurkacz.