From 2013 to 2016 Boris Becker coached tennis superstar Novak Djoković
Photo: Jordan Mansfield / Getty Images
After the scandal surrounding Novak Djoković's entry before the Australian Open, three-time Wimbledon winner and former coach Boris Becker criticized the number one tennis player.
"I think he's making a big mistake not to get vaccinated," wrote the German tennis legend in a guest post for the Daily Mail.
This mistake threatens what remains of his career and the chance to immortalize himself as the best player in history.
You can find the original guest article here: Noval Djokovic is like family to me
Becker continued to write that he was in contact with Djoković's current coach Goran Ivanisevic after they arrived at Melbourne Airport.
But he stayed in another room because everything was okay with his visa.
He has not yet spoken to Djoković, but "I would strongly advise getting vaccinated - whether he would listen to me is another matter," Becker wrote.
The rules are to be accepted, he wrote.
Becker trained the Serbs from 2013 to 2016.
During this time Djoković won six Grand Slam tournaments, including the Australian Open, and became number one again in the world.
Djoković wants to play at the Australian Open, which starts on January 17th.
Because he is apparently unvaccinated, but usually a vaccination certificate is required before entering the country, the 34-year-old obtained a controversial medical exemption.
After landing in Melbourne, however, the border guards did not see the entry rules met, and Djoković had to spend two nights in a hotel that also accommodated rejected asylum seekers.
Father compares Djoković to Jesus on the cross
Djoković sued against the action of the authorities, a court in Melbourne wants to make a decision on Monday. He receives support mainly from his Serbian homeland: Djoković's father Srdjan claimed on Thursday that his son was being held “in a prison”. In addition, he compared the world number one with Jesus on the cross at a curious press conference in Belgrade.
Australian Interior Minister Karen Andrews countered the allegations: "Mr Djoković is not being held in Australia, he is free to leave at any time," Andrews told Australian media on Friday.
"The border guards would also be able to help." Andrews said that although Djoković had been issued a visa, it was found upon arrival that he did not meet the entry requirements because he was not fully vaccinated.
hba / dpa / sid
