"If he doesn't play what will happen to him? Only tournament will suffer" - Medvedev's former coach backs Djokovic's Australian Open participation

| by Sebastian Dahlman

Daniil Medvedev's former coach Jean-Rene Lisnard doesn't think Novak Djokovic's legacy will be impacted by him missing events.

Due to his unvaccinated status, the Serbian missed both the US Open and the Australian Open this year, which undoubtedly affected his legacy. There was always a chance that he would have won the events had he participated, albeit nobody will ever know now.

Speaking to Russia's Sport Express, Lisnard doesn't think that it will impact his legacy at all, even if he misses the Australian Open again: "Djokovic is Djokovic and he will remain so, whether or not he participates in the Australian Open. He is Superovich! If he doesn’t play in this tournament or that, what will happen to him? Only the tournament will suffer. He’s fighting for his rights – and I think he’s right.”

Carlos Alcaraz will compete at 2022 Davis Cup Finals in Malaga
Carlos Alcaraz will compete at 2022 Davis Cup Finals in Malaga

Lisnard wasn't fond of Djokovic earlier in his career but over time he came to respect and admire the Serbian a lot: “I didn’t really like him before, but the further this whole situation went on, the more sympathy I felt for him. He’s the only one in this tennis world who can call a spade a spade and do whatever he wants. That deserves great respect.”

“In general, the whole situation around Covid is pure hypocrisy." explained Lisnard who doesn't understand why he was barred from entry in the US. To him it was all about politics:

"Djokovic couldn’t compete in the same US Opens, even though the US itself hasn’t had anti-Covid restrictions for a long time. But vaccination is compulsory for foreigners. Why is he suffering? Because politicians don’t like it when a person is famous and does something about them.”

Zverev and Medvedev first two players announced for prominent event in Saudi Arabia
Zverev and Medvedev first two players announced for prominent event in Saudi Arabia

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