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via Reuters

via Reuters

Two-time women’s singles Grand Slam winner Garbine Muguruza has opened up on the controversy surrounding Novak Djokovic’s detention in Australia. The authorities took the Serbian World Number 1 into detention after the government canceled his Australian Visa over his Covid-19 status. The 34-year-old faces deportation if he loses a court appeal on January 10, 2022.

Garbine Muguruza comments on the Novak Djokovic controversy

At a press conference before the Sydney Tennis Classic tournament, the media questioned the 28-year-old on Djokovic’s detention in Australia. She responded to the question by saying that it was an unnecessary controversy and that it did not contribute anything to tennis.

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She further added, “It’s a bit of a SHOW what is happening. Sooner or later we all have to get vaccinated so I don’t know why so much controversy, it’s a show that doesn’t benefit tennis at all.

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Further, the interviewers inquired Garbine about her vaccination status to which she had no problem answering. “I am vaccinated and I have no problem saying it. The truth is to get into a little dangerous grass, but I am vaccinated and happy to do it, I don’t see why you have to do it differently,” said Garbine.

The Novak Djokovic Case

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Djokovic was granted a vaccine exemption after having recently contacted the virus for the second time in December. But the Aussie govt canceled the Visa upon his arrival and subsequently detained him at the airport. He then decided to mount a legal challenge and decided to fight it out.

Djokovic’s vaccine exemption sparked a major outrage in Australia. Australia Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Djokovic is no special case and the same rules as everyone will apply to him.

via Reuters

In 2021, Muguruza reached the round of 16 last year at the Australian Open where she lost to Naomi Osaka of Japan. She would be aiming to better her performance and will try to go to the distance this year. She will begin her season at the Sydney Tennis Classic event where she is the second seed.

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Watch this story: Biggest Novak Djokovic Controversies Till Date