Tennis legend John McEnroe launched an extraordinary rant live on TV surrounding the Novak Djokovic saga, labelling his deportation from Australia ‘total BS’.
McEnroe - who is known for a fiery outburst or two - was discussing the saga live on ESPN, and was less than impressed with Djokovic’s omission from the event.
The Serbian was finally deported from Australia nearly two weeks after initially arriving down under to defend his Australian Open scandal.
After airport stand-offs, quarantine hotels and court appeals the world No. 1 was finally issued to leave Australia following a decision by immigration minister Alex Hawke.
Of course the saga has divided plenty of opinions within the tennis world in recent weeks, however it seems McEnroe is firmly on the side of Djokovic following his TV rant.
Live on ESPN, the three-time Wimbledon champion said: “(It’s an) absolute joke what’s gone on the last 12 days
”It’s sad the way it ended. I watched it play out live. It’s total BS.
“If he decides not to have a vaccine and the Australian authorities say, ‘You cannot go down there, unless you’re vaccinated,’ end of story, it’s black or white.
“He decides whether or not he wants to do it. He’s got very strong beliefs, he's entitled to those beliefs.”
Djokovic’s chances of playing in this month’s Grand Slam were up in the air for sometime after the vaccine-sceptic star continually refused to reveal his COVID-19 vaccination status, despite it being a requirement to enter Australia and compete.
Do you agree with McEnroe's stance? Let us know your thoughts on the saga in the comments section.
Despite what in the end turned out to be a failed attempt, McEnroe commended the Serbian’s decision to take the ‘risk’ of travelling down under, something that he believes sets him apart from most as the world’s best player.
He continued: “The guy’s won it nine times. I’ve got to hand it to him.
“I’ve got seven majors, he’s got 20, the reason he’s got a lot more than me is because he’s willing to go risk that, to go down there.
“You’re talking about a guy that was potentially about to break Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal’s record and that he was willing to go to these lengths, ‘I don’t want to get vaccinated but I’m going to do whatever it takes’.”
Djokovic’s troubles down under got a whole lot worse part way through the saga, as it was revealed he attended an interview with a journalist despite knowing he had tested positive for COVID-19.
Remarkably though, McEnroe again came to the world No. 1’s defence, seemingly insinuating that the story had been fabricated.
“Here’s the other part that’s weird,” He continued.
“Djokovic apparently - and listen, I’m a fan of Novak and I have a lot of respect for him - but supposedly he knew he had it, and then he flew back and went to Serbia and that’s not what you’re allowed to do.
“And then he met with some journalist, allegedly… that he spoke to a journalist, in Serbia I believe.
“I don’t know the exact details of the dates … is that proven, is that absolute fact?”
Following the Serbian’s deportation, the tournament kicked off without him, as his supposed first round opponent - and fellow Serb - Miomir Kecmanovic defeated Italian Salvatore Caruso in straight sets.
