Novak Djokovic just can’t stay out of the spotlight. The 24-time Grand Slam champion is making headlines lately, and it’s not just for his tennis. After a disappointing exit from the Australian Open, where he had to withdraw due to a hamstring injury sustained in the quarters, Djokovic struggled to regain his footing. He faced first-round exits in his next tournaments at Qatar and Indian Wells, sparking debates about the GOAT’s prowess on the court. However, as he enters Miami, it seems he has made a recovery, advancing into the second round of Miami Open. But looks like his off-court activity has got fans in a pickle.

Last week, the PTPA, co-founded by Novak in 2020, filed a class-action lawsuit against the ATP, WTA, ITF, and ITIA in federal court in New York. They allege that these governing bodies operate like a “cartel.” The lawsuit addresses grievances such as unfair revenue distribution, restrictive ranking systems, and inadequate player welfare measures. Some support the lawsuit, while others, like Carlos Alcaraz, openly admit they do not. Now, Nole has sparked yet another controversy with his recent social media appearance.

On March 23, American politician and environmental attorney Robert F. Kennedy shared an image on X alongside Djokovic. Dressed in tennis attire, the two smiled as the caption read: “Novak Djokovic. First in tennis. First in integrity. First in courage. Guess who won this match?”

Though the prompt was intended to be lighthearted, referencing a friendly tennis match, it has inadvertently brought renewed attention to Novak Djokovic’s 2022 Australian deportation, stemming from his refusal to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Once again, this issue is at the forefront of discussions among fans and critics alike.

Fans have a field day with Novak Djokovic’s recent match with Robert F Kennedy

One fan wrote, “Based. Only unvaccinated tennis player 💪🙌,” referencing Djokovic’s firm stance on medical exemption to compete in the 2020 Australian Open despite strict vaccination rules. Upon arrival in Australia, his visa was canceled due to entry violations and concerns over unrest linked to his unvaccinated status. This led to a legal battle where a judge briefly reinstated his visa, but Australia’s immigration minister ultimately revoked it again, citing public interest grounds. As a result, Djokovic was deported just days before the Australian Open.

Another fan added, “It’s a bit odd that refusing to take a shot makes us heroes, but here we are 🤷‍♂️ Thank you for helping 👋🇳🇴.” While Novak’s COVID vaccination controversy remains a hot topic, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has also faced criticism for his skepticism about vaccine safety and efficacy.

Around 20 years ago, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. sought Professor Paul Offit’s expertise on vaccine safety, specifically thimerosal. Offit, expecting a productive dialogue, shared research debunking its harm. However, Kennedy later published a retracted article in Rolling Stone, falsely linking thimerosal to health problems and misrepresenting Offit’s vaccine. Despite the article’s inaccuracies, Kennedy continued to promote these claims, including on Joe Rogan’s podcast.

Nevertheless, Kennedy supported Djokovic during the 2022 Australian Open dispute. When Djokovic told CBS in an interview, “People try to declare me as an anti-vax. I am not anti-vax nor I am pro-vax. I am pro-freedom to choose,” Kennedy echoed him on X, writing, “Djokovic nails it. That’s my position too. Your body, your choice.”

Not everyone was amused by their recent association, though. One fan bluntly stated, “It’s actually so easy to hate Djokovic,” reflecting frustration over his repeated controversies. His connection to the PTPA’s recent lawsuit against tennis governing bodies added fuel to the fire. Top players like Aryna Sabalenka and Daniil Medvedev admitted they were unaware of the lawsuit until it went viral on social media. Even Nole commented that he didn’t agree with all aspects of the lawsuit document despite its ties to the organization he co-founded.

Others took a lighter approach, focusing on Djokovic’s outfit during his casual tennis session with Kennedy. One joked, “No fashion maven, here, but brown tennis shoes? lol Looks like a good day. Cheers,” while another quipped, “Would looking at the shoes give us a clue?” The photo showed Djokovic dressed like a professional athlete in sports shoes while Kennedy opted for casual brown shoes—not ideal for an intense game of tennis.

Well, there were the other lot of fans that loved the two sharing a frame. One fan commented: “Love this! Two inspirational and courageous guys that will always put integrity and morals first,” as a second chimed in to say: “Robert, you’re always a winner in my books. Who keeps the score on these things, anyway? Looks like you both had a great time, an image of health encapsulated in two great men.”

Despite the off-court drama, Novak is making strides at the Miami Open, advancing to the second round where he will face Camilo Ugo Carabelli on March 23. Can he continue his winning streak and clinch his 100th title amid mixed reactions from fans? Share your thoughts below!