Novak Djokovic compares Jannik Sinner's doping positive controversy to how COVID-19 scandal affected his life

Novak Djokovic recently took a trip down memory lane, drawing a comparison between how the COVID-19 controversy impacted his life and how the doping saga affected Jannik Sinner’s. He didn’t hold back as he spoke his mind and shared what he had long wanted to get off his chest.

Djokovic has an interview coming up with British journalist Piers Morgan, despite the two sharing a bit of bad blood in the past. A short clip from the interview was shared on social media, where Morgan asked him to compare both incidents.

The Serb was direct when asked if there was a “cloud” over Sinner following his doping scandal, admitting that there is and that the “cloud” will follow the Italian just like it did for him after he refused to take the COVID-19 vaccine in 2022. He added that if Morgan wanted to know more about it, he should ask Sinner himself.

Morgan: "On Sinner, is there a cloud over him about the drugs thing?" Djokovic: "That cloud will follow him as the cloud of COVID will follow me. You should ask him." Morgan: "I only interview GOATs."

Djokovic’s refusal to get vaccinated against COVID-19 sparked one of the biggest controversies in sports at the 2022 Australian Open. He arrived in Australia claiming to have a medical exemption, but his visa was revoked, and he was deported from Melbourne. The incident also led to a three-year ban from entering the country, which was eventually lifted later that year.

The Serb also missed several important tournaments, including the 2022 US Open, due to the vaccine entry restrictions in the United States. However, he stood firm on his beliefs, stating that he would rather skip tournaments than get vaccinated.

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Piers Morgan once branded Novak Djokovic a "cheat" and a "liar" after COVID-19 vaccination saga

Novak Djokovic | Image Source: Getty

Novak Djokovic and Piers Morgan have a history of tension, as during the Serb’s COVID-19 vaccination saga, Morgan was one of his most vocal critics. He took to X to express his delight over Djokovic's deportation from Australia and even labeled him a “cheat” and a “liar.”

"Covid rule cheat, immigration form liar and anti-vaxxer icon Novak Djokovic loses final appeal against deportation and will be thrown out of Australia without being able to compete in Australian Open. Good," he wrote.

However, Morgan appeared to change his tone in 2024 when he tweeted in support of the Serb after Djokovic hit back at the Wimbledon crowd for what he felt was unfair treatment. Morgan wrote:

"Djokovic is being a monumental d*** at Wimbledon this year, and I'm all here for it. He deserves way more respect than he gets, from fans & media, and he's obviously bored with pretending he's OK with it."

The Brit once again came to the 24-time Grand Slam champion's defense earlier this year at the Australian Open when a journalist mocked a group of Serbian fans for supporting him, and he fired back at the reporter. However, it now appears that the two have buried the hatchet, with the Serb agreeing to sit down for an exclusive interview with Morgan, set to air soon.

Edited by Pritha Ghosh