‘Thanks for the spanking’: Novak destroys Kokkinakis, complains about vax rule

Novak Djokovic has complained about double standards towards unvaccinated players as he dusted Thanasi Kokkinakis.

Djokovic was too good for Kokkinakis.

Defending champion Novak Djokovic reached the Wimbledon third round for the 16th time with another clinical display.

Top seed Djokovic brushed aside 79th-ranked Thanasi Kokkinakis of Australia 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 and will face Serbian compatriot Miomir Kecmanovic for a last-16 place.

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“I’m very happy with my performance. I started very well, solid from the back of the court,” said Djokovic, who is looking to join Pete Sampras as a seven-time Wimbledon champion.

“I made him work for every point and worked him around the court.”

Kokkinakis had likened Djokovic to a “brick wall” before the match. “It was one-way traffic. I got chopped today,” said the 26-year-old Aussie after his Centre Court torment.

“If that’s not his top intensity, I’m going to get chopped even more next time.”

On Instagram, Kokkinakis added: “Thanks for the spanking bro.”

Thanasi Kokkinakis was no match for the top seed. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

On the weekend Djokovic reiterated he would not get vaccinated — a stance that would prevent him from playing in this year’s US Open, unless American authorities change the rules of entry for unvaccinated visitors from overseas.

Before his win over Kokkinakis, the Serbian called out what he alleges are double standards. Djokovic pointed to unvaccinated American Tennys Sandgren being allowed to compete because he lives in the US, questioning why he shouldn’t be permitted to play too.

“No unvaccinated people can enter the USA as of this moment,” Djokovic told Serbian media, as reported by Tennis Majors. “I did hear unofficially that some people got away with it, some people who are not ‘famous’, but I would never even try to go to the USA if it is not allowed.

“Bottom line is if I am told that I cannot go, I won’t go, I would never put myself in such a position. Even if I get in, they would see me on TV playing tennis and pick me up.

“On a more serious note, I have been texting with Tennys Sandgren a few days ago. I wanted to thank him for the public support he has given me in this situation. What he said makes total sense — if unvaccinated players are not allowed to compete at the US Open, then it should be the case for everyone.

“I don’t see the medical logic behind it, that Tennys can play because he is a citizen of the USA and I cannot. If I had a US passport or a green card, I would be able to play. Maybe there is a political logic behind it – not medical – but I would rather not get into that and you can understand why.”

Novak Djokovic marches on at Wimbledon. (Photo by SEBASTIEN BOZON / AFP)

Meanwhile, Djokovic said the family of jailed former coach Boris Becker “can always count on me” after he invited the tennis great’s girlfriend and son to watch him at Wimbledon.

Lily de Carvalho and the fallen star’s son Noah were in Djokovic’s player box on Centre Court for his second-round win.

“Of course, it breaks my heart to see what’s happening to him,” said Djokovic. “I can only imagine how hard it is for his family members.

“So, this is a little gesture of friendship to invite them. He knows and they know that they can always count on me for whatever support or help I can provide.”

Becker was jailed for two and a half years earlier this year following charges relating to a 2017 bankruptcy case.

The six-time Grand Slam title winner coached Djokovic for three years until the end of 2016. In that time, they won six majors, a run which included reaching a career Grand Slam when Djokovic claimed the first of his two French Opens in 2016.

“Noah and his younger brother Elias are going to visit Boris in the next few days for the first time since he went to prison,” added Djokovic.

“I’ve just been trying to give support to people around him, his closest people, his family members, because I consider Boris really a family member, someone that I greatly appreciate, respect, and care about.”