Novak Djokovic has denied he's a "fake" and described the notion of freedom of speech as an "illusion" after reflecting on the most tempestuous year of his career.
The Serbian star became embroiled in an explosive visa saga ahead of the Australian Open in January, initially given a medical exemption to compete despite not being vaccinated against Covid-19. But he was detained upon his arrival at Melbourne Airport, and an intense legal battle followed before the star was deported a home a day before the tournament began.
He did then compete in the French Open and was triumphant at Wimbledon, but the Covid-19 issue reared its head again when he was barred from events in Miami and Indian Wells. The 21-time Grand Slam champion then withdrew from the US Open as their travel rules prevented him from entering America unless he got jabbed.
Despite receiving support over his stance, Djokovic was also subjected to a barrage of criticism from fans and high profile figures. And now he's hit back amid countless suggestions his behaviour was deliberately contrary.
"People sometimes think I'm fake, that I do certain things because I want to be loved," he told Italian daily La Stampa . "It's not like that, I'm just trying to be genuine. It's something we're losing.
"It is not possible to please everyone but by now the politically correct forces us to give up expressing our ideas with respect, without hatred, but with freedom. Freedom of speech for me today is just an illusion."
Djokovic, 35, cited himself as proof of this, denying the widely held view that he was 'anti-vax': "I had an extraordinary example of this this year, with what happened to me around the vaccine issue," he added.
"I expressed myself for the freedom to be able to dispose of one's body, and immediately I was accused of being a no-vax, which I am not. If you don't belong to a certain way of thinking, you quickly become the bad guy. That's not good."
The former world No 1, who won all three of his group games in the ATP Finals to set up a semi final with Taylor Fritz, has received a boost this week though. He will be eligible to compete in the 2022 Australian Open, after having his three year visa ban overturned by federal government.
