An open letter to Novak Djokovic

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

Dear, Novak Djokovic.

This is me, Leobert. An avid fan and an enthusiast of the sport you’re dominating.

I have nothing against you and the decisions that you make, but can you please consider that the world is still under a health crisis?

In the first place, you should’ve respected the Australian government’s rules. They are trying to protect their people. Mr. Djokovic, NO ONE IS ABOVE THE RULES.

Australia is currently imposing strict health and safety protocols to maintain a low death rate amid the COVID-19 pandemic and here you are, trying to set foot on their premises, unvaccinated, which is a violation of their rules.

Nonsense, Mr. Djokovic.

Yes, you applied for medical exemption permission which was approved by the Australian Open officials including tournament director Craig Tiley, but that doesn’t mean you can easily join.

What about the Australians that are staying vigilant, obeying all the protocols to avoid the virus’ spread and the risks? The taxpayers? The Australian Open employees that decided to be fully vaccinated just to maintain their job posts?

It’s unfair, Mr. Djokovic.

A million-dollar earner and an unvaccinated person walking past the benches and practice facilities of a state where fully-vaccinated persons are only allowed seems odd, it’s not right.

You have been infected twice with COVID-19 yet you have the guts to supersede the Australian government rules just to earn money?

Think, Mr. Djokovic.

This isn’t a matter of respecting your decision to not get the vaccine anymore. This is a matter of respecting the millions of Australians who follow their rules and the thousands who got infected and suffered the virus.

The whole world is still under a health crisis especially with the presence of the Delta and the Omicron variants of COVID-19.

Lost families, damaged lives.

Can’t you see the bigger picture, Mr. Djokovic?

I get you. You want to offer an excellent kick-off to the world’s first Grand Slam tournament of the year.

I admire your burning passion for the game, surely the main reason why you are trying to grace the prestigious 2022 Australian Open amid the absence of your co-superstars.

But please, be a role model to the millions of kids and aspiring tennis players that look up to you. These people saying, “Mom, dad, I want to be like Djokovic when I grow up.”

Let it sink in.

From Philippines, with love, Mr. Djokovic.