Andy Murray Returns Serve To Novak Djokovic
The three-time Grand Slam Champion has spoken on Djokovic's Australia saga.
Just a day after Novak Djokovic said he had received a 'positive reception' from his fellow players, one of tennis's biggest names has broken his silence on the situation.
Andy Murray, the three-time Grand Slam Champion, says world number one Djokovic must live with the consequences of not being vaccinated, at the same time lamenting that it's not good for the sport.
"I think it would be a lot easier for him obviously if he was to get vaccinated," Murray said.
"But I also didn't like seeing him in the situation that he was in Australia as someone that I respect, have known since I was a child."
"There are consequences to the decisions he's made. He obviously has to accept that. But I don't think it's great for tennis if our best player is not competing in the major events."
Murray made the comments following his round one win at the ATP Dubai Tennis Championship over Australian Chris O'Connell in three-sets.
Djokovic, who also won 6-3, 6-3 in his first match of 2022 against Lorenzo Musetti, told media in a press conference prior to the tournament that he had received a 'positive and welcoming' reception from the players he had encountered since his ordeal in Australia.
The debacle saw him detained by Australian Border Force in Melbourne before eventually having his visa cancelled twice before being sent home due to currently being unvaccinated from Covid-19.
Despite being in jeopardy of losing his world number one ranking to Australian Open runner-up Daniil Medvedev this week, Djokovic was pleased with his performance after such a long lay-off.
"I have to be satisfied with my tennis, especially after not playing for two and a half, three months," Djokovic said after the match.
"Of course, there were moments when I played great, there were moments when I made a couple of unforced errors in a row uncharacteristically. But it's normal to expect that (in my) first match after a while."
Djokovic now plays the winner of tonight's match between Karen Khachanov and Australia's Alex de Minaur.
Featured Image Credit: AlamyTopics: Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic
Ryan Rosendale