"The two are not even close" - Tennis fans criticize political writer James Melville for comparing Muhammad Ali's anti-war stance to Novak Djokovic not getting the vaccine
Tennis superstar Novak Djokovic has come under immense scrutiny all year long due to his COVID-19 vaccination stance. The Serb's refusal to get the jab has cost him the chance to play at many tournaments this year.
However, political writer James Melville, thought otherwise as he took to Twitter to praise Djokovic and compare him to the late great Muhammad Ali. Melville believes the hardship that Djokovic is undergoing is similar to what Ali had to survive.
The legendary boxer, widely considered to be the greatest of all time, was forbidden from partaking in the sport due to his anti-war stance and his refusal to be drafted in by the American army.
"Two sporting icons. Two different eras. But there is one huge similarity between Muhammad Ali and Novak Djokovic. They stuck to their principles even when the world was trying to shut them down. They have both transcended sport with their bravery when under fire," Melville wrote.
Two sporting icons. Two different eras. But there is one huge similarity between Muhammad Ali and Novak Djokovic. They stuck to their principles even when the world was trying to shut them down. They have both transcended sport with their bravery when under fire. https://t.co/qHYZOLCzNL
Subsequently, tennis fans have reacted furiously to this comparison between the two sporting legends by Melville. Tennis fans flooded Twitter to make their displeasure known about the statement.
"Muhammad Ali lost years of his prime due to his anti war stance and Djokovic is scared of a needle. Not the same," one fan wrote.
Muhammad Ali lost years of his prime due to his anti war stance and Djokovic is scared of a needle. Not the same twitter.com/jamesmelville/…
@JamesMelville One didn’t want a jab and couldn’t play a few tennis tournaments and one didn’t want to go to a war he didn’t believe in and got lengthy prison time, how can you compare these two 😂
@JamesMelville Bollocks - no comparison in any way over their stands - only comparison is their greatness in their sport. .
I must have missed the news bulletin when Djokovic was sent to prison for refusing to be sent off into a futile war. twitter.com/jamesmelville/…
@JamesMelville @thethe Great athletes. One faced real challenges, the other invented them.
@JamesMelville WITH ALL, FULL LOVE AND RESPECT TO Novak Djokovic( and I am a big fan ) BUT Muhammad Ali is a masterpiece unrepeatable There is no comparison and there can never be any comparison, different days different circumstances Muhammad Ali came from ASH like Phoenix.
The two are not even close. Djokovic won't have a safe vaccine, Muhhamad Ali lost years of his career due to an anti-war stance. twitter.com/JamesMelville/…
Another fan spoke about how Muhammad Ali missed out on the prime years of his illustrious boxing career in order to stand up for what he believes in.
"Ali also did it when it cost him the most. The world missed out on Ali at his supreme best. We got glimpses of it when he fought Cleveland Williams in a boxing masterclass. So I don’t think it is a good comparison," wrote the fan.
@JamesMelville Ali also did it when it cost him the most. The world missed out on Ali at his supreme best. We got glimpses of it when he fought Cleveland Williams in a boxing masterclass. So I don’t think it is a good comparison
@JamesMelville I'm tired of being told how Djokovic stuck by his principles. He didn't. He tried every way he knew to bypass the rules. If he'd had any principles he would not have travelled. He bears no comparison to Ali, who really did stand by his principles.
On the flip side, some fans sympathized with the Serb's anti-vaccination stance and applauds him for standing up to what he believes in.
there is no official definition of it but the closest means "deliberaterly provocative" in a positive way. When everyone says you can't achieve it he does it.@JamesMelville It is called "Inat" in 🇷🇸 there is no official definition of it but the closest means "deliberaterly provocative" in a positive way. When everyone says you can't achieve it he does it.
@JamesMelville I think Mohammed Ali would not have had the vaccine either. Didn't trust the governments one bit. Smart man.
@JamesMelville Its all about. Standing up for what you believe in .even if it means standing alone.
@JamesMelville @MartinKulldorff They both didn't need the money but the record , what was more important and they didn't go against their principles.
I hope more sportsmen like that we will play in the future. 👑👑👑👑They will be remembered as unique.❤❤❤❤👑
Novak Djokovic set to miss the US Open with current vaccination rules for foreign travelers
After capturing his 21st Grand Slam and seventh Wimbledon title, Novak Djokovic faced the harsh reality of not being able to participate at the US Open this year. The US has a vaccination mandate for foreign travelers entering the country, which could likely lead to the former World No. 1 missing the final Major of the year.
Having won the tournament on three occasions - 2011, 2015 and 2018, while he's lost in six finals. Unless the rules for foreign travelers change before the US open begins, Djokovic will likely only be seen at the French Open next year.
His deportation from Australia led to Novak Djokovic receiving a three-year ban from entering the country. While the ban could be overturned by special request to the Australian Goverment, the Serb will be unable to enter the country given the current rules.