Banned from the Australian Open – and later deported – because he had not been vaccinated against Covid-19, Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic, the world rankings leader, appeared on Monday at the ATP 500 in Dubai and before making his debut spoke about the consequences of not participating. In the first Grand Slam tournament of the year.
The Swede thanked Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic for his public support and revealed a secret.
“My feelings were running high after what happened in Australia. I needed time to reflect and mentally rest. Now that I have recovered from the disappointment, I couldn’t wait to compete again,” he said.
Ibrahimovic was one of the figures who supported Djokovic during the Melbourne events.
“People should not be vaccinated so they can work,” the 40-year-old veteran soccer player said in January, words to which the Serbian tennis player returned on Monday with affection:
“Zlatan and I are close friends. We have talked several times about my situation in Australia. He has publicly supported me, something I will never forget,” he added, ending with a secret explosive.
“I’m a Milan and Zlatan fanatic and I hope to win Scudetto This year “.
“Writer. Communicator. Award-winning food junkie. Internet ninja. Incurable bacon fanatic.”