Nick Kyrgios shares post comparing Novak Djokovic & Bondi Beach mass shooter to call out Aussie government

Nick Kyrgios shared a post that drew a controversial comparison between the Bondi Beach mass shooter and Novak Djokovic as a way of criticizing the Australian government. The post referenced the Serbian tennis star’s ban from entering Australia over COVID-19 vaccination rules.

On December 14, a mass shooting took place at a Hanukkah celebration near Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia. Two gunmen opened fire on crowds gathered for the festival, killing at least 15 people and injuring around 40 others, including police officers.

Former NBA player Andrew Bogut quoted another user’s post comparing a Bondi Beach mass shooter with Novak Djokovic. The post highlighted that the Serb was banned from Australia, but the mass shooter was not. Although it fails to mention that the mass shooter was an Australian-born man. Bogut added his own caption:

"Australian Gov - Keeping you safe."

This refers to the controversial episode in 2022 when Djokovic was denied entry to Australia and deported because he failed to meet the country’s COVID-19 vaccination entry requirements at the time.

Further, Nick Kyrgios reshared Andrew Bogut's post.

Nick Kyrgios reshared Andrew Bogut's post

Kyrgios was also outspoken about how the Australian government handled Djokovic's situation in 2022.

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"Novak Djokovic’s situation is bad, really bad" - When Nick Kyrgios spoke about the Serb's situation in Australia in 2022

Novak Djokovic and Nick Kyrgios at the 2025 Brisbane International - Source: Getty

In early January 2022, Novak Djokovic’s attempt to defend his Australian Open title became one of the most talked-about episodes in tennis history. Djokovic had applied for a medical exemption to Australia’s COVID-19 vaccination requirement and was initially granted permission by independent panels to travel to Melbourne.

He arrived at Melbourne Airport believing he could compete. However, border officials detained him and then cancelled his visa, saying he did not meet the federal entry rules for being fully vaccinated or having an acceptable exemption. The decision sparked legal battles and days of uncertainty.

The saga drew major reactions from other players. Australian star Nick Kyrgios acknowledged he got vaccinated for others’ safety but criticised the way authorities treated Djokovic.

"Look I definitely believe in taking action, I got vaccinated because of others and for my mums (sic) health, but how we are handling Novak’s situation is bad, really bad,” Kyrgios wrote on X. "Like these memes, headlines, this is one of our great champions but at the end of the day, he is human. Do better."

American John Isner said there was “no justification” for how Djokovic was handled, noting he followed the rules as he understood them and should not have been detained against his will. The episode remains one of the most controversial intersections of sport and pandemic policy

Edited by Aliasgar Ayaz