Novak Djokovic is not the anti-vax hero unvaccinated fans want him to be

The decision to deport Novak Djokovic will bolster his anti-vax supporters but those same people fail to realise an uncomfortable truth.

Novak Djokovic isn’t the anti-vax hero some think he is.

Anti-vaxxers love Novak Djokovic but the uncomfortable truth is this — the feeling is not mutual.

For several days last week while his visa saga played out, Melburnians against Covid-19 vaccinations gathered outside the Park Hotel where the world’s best male tennis player was being held by Australian immigration officials.

They chanted for his freedom and condemned Australian authorities for what they saw as an extension of a mandate to force as many people as possible to submit to a jab.

“Free the Novax legend,” one placard read. Another read: “Novax Djokovic — hostage of the communist state of Dan Andrews. Are we in a pandemic about health? Novak looks healthy to me.”

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Novak Djokovic won’t take part in the 2022 Australian Open and could miss the tournament in 2023 and 2024. Picture: Martin Keep/AFP

The Serbian tennis star, who was deported from Australia on Sunday night for failing to get vaccinated, is a huge hit with the anti-vax crowd.

But the legal team that represented him in the Federal Court delivered a harsh truth when they declared that Djokovic is no anti-vax hero. He doesn’t want to be. If anything, it is quite the opposite.

“There was no evidence before the minister that Mr. Djokovic has ever urged any others not to be vaccinated,” his lawyers wrote in a court filing.

“Indeed, if anything, Mr. Djokovic’s conduct over time reveals a zealous protection of his own privacy rather than any advocacy.”

Serbian supporters who gathered outside the Park Hotel were joined by a toxic mix of protesters from movements that are anti-Daniel Andrews, anti-lockdowns and anti-vaccine.

If they were hoping to get some words of support for their causes from the man himself, they would have been disappointed.

The audacity that was Djokovic. Idonbilivit. Now he is some anti-vax folk hero. Djokovic doesn’t care about you and sure as damn isn’t going to fight for you rights to be unvaccinated. Sorry. ✌🏾

— Phumzile Van Damme (@zilevandamme) January 16, 2022

Even after being kicked out of the country, Djokovic was humble and careful with his comments. He did not mention his vaccination status.

“I’d like to make a brief statement to address the outcomes of today’s Court hearing,” he said. “I will now be taking some time to rest and to recuperate, before making any further comments beyond this.

“I am extremely disappointed with the ruling to dismiss my application for judicial review of the decision to cancel my visa, which means I cannot stay in Australia and participate in the Australian Open. I respect the Court’s ruling and I’ll co-operate with the relevant authorities in relation to my departure from Aus.

“I am uncomfortable that the focus of the past weeks has been on me and I hope that we can all now focus on the game and tournament I love. I would like to wish the players, tournament officials, staff, volunteers and fans all the best for the tournament.

“Finally, I would like to thank my family, friends, team, supporters, fans and my fellow Serbians for your continued support. You have all been a great source of strength to me.”

Anti-vaxxers love Novak, but he has shown no love in return. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw

There was plenty of support for Novak outside the Park Hotel.

He never once, before or after arriving in Australia, made a public case against vaccination.

In a statement last week after it was revealed that he attended an interview despite being Covid-19 positive, Djokovic called out “misinformation” but did not defend his vaccine stance.

“I want to address the continuing misinformation about my activities and attendance at events in December in the lead up to my positive PCR COVID test result,” his statement read.

“This is misinformation which needs to be corrected, particularly in the interest of alleviating broader concern in the community about my presence in Australia, and to address matters which are very hurtful and concerning to my family.

Djokovic is a tennis player. not an anti-vax advocate. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

“I want to emphasise that I have tried very hard to ensure the safety of everyone and my compliance with testing obligations.”

It was clear the 20-time grand slam winner just wanted to play tennis. Speaking to Sunrise last week, his mother, Dijana Djokovic, said just that.

“Don’t throw him out, he is a tennis player, he is not politician, he is not a criminal, he is not a murderer, he’s just a tennis player, the best in the world, just let him play.

“He came to Australia to play and to win the Australian Open, this is his goal.”

He is just a tennis player. The best in the world. Anti-vaxxers are wrong to make him more than that.