Rafael Nadal’s record 21st Grand Slam victory has reportedly pushed Novak Djokovic into backflipping on his anti-vaccination stance.
Biographer Daniel Muksch – who wrote ‘A Lifetime of War’ about the 20-time grand slam champion – suggests that watching Nadal’s historic win may convince Djokovic to get the jab.
“From what I have heard from those around him, I think he is getting vaccinated,” Muksch reportedly said on Austrian TV station Servus TV.
“Maybe the final in Melbourne also contributed to that. Rafael Nadal’s 21 is driving him, no question.”
Djokovic sent a heartfelt message to Nadal and Ash Barty for their Australian Open wins.
“There has been some outstanding tennis played at this year’s #AusOpen and the finals were exceptional. Congratulations to @ashbarty for an amazing performance in front of her home crowd and to Danielle Collins for an incredible tournament,” Djokovic tweeted.
There has been some outstanding tennis played at this year’s #AusOpen and the finals were exceptional. Congratulations to @ashbarty for an amazing performance in front of her home crowd and to Danielle Collins for an incredible tournament. pic.twitter.com/qM3pcDnAeL
— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) January 30, 2022
He also wrote, “Congratulations to @RafaelNadal for 21st GS. Amazing achievement. Always impressive fighting spirit that prevailed another time. Enhorabuena. Daniil Medvedev gave it his all out there and played with the passion and determination we have come to expect from him.”
Congratulations to @RafaelNadal for 21st GS. Amazing achievement. Always impressive fighting spirit that prevailed another time. Enhorabuena 👏🏆👍 @Medwed33 gave it his all out there and played with the passion and determination we have come to expect from him. pic.twitter.com/DsOvK8idNc
— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) January 30, 2022
In an interview with the New York Times in 2020, Djokovic explained: “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.”
He added, “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.”
