The double standard in the way tennis treats Novak Djokovic in comparison to Naomi Osaka or Serena Williams has been laid bare, some fans have claimed.
Scottish filmmaker Francis Maxwell said that if Naomi Osaka or Serena Williams acted how Djokovic has acted in the last few weeks, “the tennis association would be sharpening their knives”.
Francis Maxwell wrote: “Let me say this, if Naomi Osaka, or Serena Williams acted in the way Novak Djokovic has acted in the past couple weeks- the tennis association would be sharpening their knives.
“They hung Osaka out to dry because she missed a couple pressers, meanwhile on Djokovic...(crickets).”
Let me say this, if Naomi Osaka, or Serena Williams acted in the way Novak Djokovic has acted in the past couple weeks- the tennis association would be sharpening their knives. They hung Osaka out to dry because she missed a couple pressers, meanwhile on Djokovic...(crickets).
— Francis Maxwell (@francismmaxwell) January 13, 2022
Earlier this year Osaka withdrew from the French Open after she was fined for not participating in press conferences due to her mental health.
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Ironically at the time Djokovic reportedly commented, saying that although he understands that press conferences can be “unpleasant” and it’s not always an enjoyable experience, “it is part of our sport, it is part of what we do”.
Also at the French Open, Serena Williams caused controversy for wearing a black catsuit in 2018, but it had an important function.
Williams wore the compression garment to help with blood clots. After giving birth to her daughter following her win at the 2017 Australian Open, she suffered blood clots in her lungs and almost died.
But French Tennis Federation president Bernard Giudicelli told Tennis Magazine: “I think we sometimes went too far. The combination of Serena this year, for example, it will no longer be accepted. You have to respect the game and the place.”
Lots of people on Twitter have said they feel the Djokovic situation would have been dealt with differently if it were Williams or Osaka:
The difference is clear as day. Take three headlines specifically relating to the French Open about Osaka, Serena, and Djokovic and tell me they would be treated the same if either women pulled what Novak is right now. https://t.co/8ChnMxEdrm pic.twitter.com/r9f0NreMwG
— Shayna (@hayyyshayyy) January 13, 2022
If Naomi Osaka, Venus Williams or Serena Williams acted as #Novak_Djokovic has, I rather doubt the noises would be the same. pic.twitter.com/Nkio0O2LOB
— Sloan🐱 (@SloanSteed) January 12, 2022
Imagine if Serena Williams acted like Novak Djokovic. 🙄
— Angie D’Ambrosio (@angiedam2) January 12, 2022
Novak Djokovic is really lucky that his name is not Naomi Osaka or Serena Williams. https://t.co/xLz468gwTs
— Sayantan Ghosh (@sayantansunnyg) January 13, 2022
What if Venus or Serena Williams or Naomi Osaka behaved like Novak Djokovic? @CariChampion weighs in. pic.twitter.com/lhWZAassG4
— Brianna Keilar (@brikeilarcnn) January 13, 2022
The social media comments follow Serbian tennis star Djokovic having his Australian visa cancelled for a second time. He is due to be deported just three days before the Australian Open begins.
Although he travelled to Australia to compete in the tennis tournament, Djokovic has been in the headlines due to a visa debacle and questions over his vaccine exemption.
Earlier this week he admitted to meeting a journalist after testing positive and said despite initial claims that he didn’t travel for 14 days before entering Australia, he was reportedly spotted at a training camp in Spain.
