‘Treated Like a Criminal’: Benoit Paire Sympathizes With Novak Djokovic After Australian Open 2022 Controversy

Weeks ahead of the Australian Open, the discussion in the sporting world revolved around everything but tennis. The concluded Novak Djokovic controversy is still making headlines in media circles as they began discussing over the Serbian’s traveling future at various slams. Amidst all this, French tennis player Benoit Paire gave his two cents on Djokovic’s deportation.

Benoit Paire talks about Djokovic’s Australian Open deportation

Paire, who put up a decent performance at the Australian Open this year, lost in the third round to Stefanos Tsitsipas. The Frenchman also defeated Grigor Dimitrov in the second round after a tight four-set battle. When asked to comment upon Djokovic saga, Paire believed that the Serbian didn’t have everything he needed to travel to the land down under.

“‘Djoko’, I have nothing against him, I like him, but on the rules, on this tournament in any case, he did not have everything he needed to be able to come.  It is he who makes the decision to come, it is he who makes the decision not to be vaccinated too. These are his choices. Then you have to take it.”

The Frenchman also felt bad about the way Djokovic was treated during his stay in Australia.

“Of course it’s sad to see a guy like Djokovic come here and be treated like a criminal. For me, we get vaccinated, we don’t get vaccinated, everyone has their own choices, but I would just like that once you’ve made your choice, we can live normally. I’m sad for him, but the rules are the rules here”. 

Novak Djokovic is yet to reveal his plans for the 2022 ATP tour

A lot of players who were asked about the Djokovic situation shared similar response while others felt that the Serbian star shouldn’t have been treated the way he did. The world no.1 is currently in Serbia for a much-needed rest after what he was put through over the past few weeks.

After a while, the 20-time Grand Slam champion is expected to make an announcement regarding his comeback on the ATP tour. With more tournaments implementing vaccine mandates, it remains to be seen how Djokovic will plan his future as he is definitely in the leading position to claim the GOAT title from Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal in terms of numbers.

Also read: ‘Contradiction and Complexity’: Australian Open 2022 Director Opens up on Novak Djokovic Saga