Novak Djokovic has never been a fan favourite at Melbourne Park, but his visa debacle could see public sentiment shift in his favour, according to Nine sports presenter Tony Jones.
The nine-time Australian Open champion has spent the weekend in an immigration hotel in Melbourne, after appealing against the cancellation of his visa.
The world No.1 is level on 20 career grand slam titles with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, but in the popularity stakes he trails both men by the length of the Flemington straight.
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An often polarising figure in the sport, Djokovic is respected for his achievements, but unloved by many in the tennis community.
The unvaccinated Serbian would have almost certainly received a hostile reception on Rod Laver Arena a week ago, but speaking on Nine’s Today, Jones said the events of recent days may have changed the mood slightly.
“It is embarrassing, it is a mess and just how it’s going to play out is anyone’s guess at the moment,” he said.
“To think that we would have even been having this conversation is just an absolute farce.
“There is certainly sentiment running high for Novak Djokovic which certainly wasn’t the case probably two weeks ago when he was very much the villain.
“But now the villain, it would seem, has become a victim.
“I just wonder if he does actually win this court case and whether he does take to the court at Melbourne Park whether in fact the reception might be a little different than what it would have been had he not found himself in this predicament.”
Djokovic’s situation has made headlines around the world in recent days, but Jones says the situation should never have reached the point that it has.
“It should have been sorted before Novak Djokovic got on the plane,” he explained.
“My view is quite simple. Novak Djokovic should never have been here in the first place.
“He’s not vaccinated. The medical exemption just seems to be a little odd in the manner in which it was issued. And now we’re hearing of course, a positive COVID case from Novak in mid December and then he appeared in those photographs only a day or so later.
“So something’s not right here.”
Djokovic has won the Australian Open a record nine times, and Jones says the desire to have him compete at Melbourne Park this year may have seen officials drop the ball.
“It could have been prevented. It would seem that we were just hell bent on getting Novak Djokovic out here, and I can understand that,” he said.
“He’s the world’s number one. He’s aiming for multiple Australian Open titles, number 10.
“So yes, there was a desire to get him out here. But there was always going to be a cost.
“Now, the fear was that the cost would be to the health of the city. Well, that’s taking things to extreme, but now the cost, and there is a monetary cost here as well, to you and I the taxpayer because this federal court case could run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars.”
If Djokovic does prevail at Melbourne Park his 21st grand slam title will be a milestone not previously achieved by a male player.
“I just wonder what the reception will be for Novak Djokovic if he wins this damn thing,” Jones noted.
“If he does actually take to the court where he’s more accustomed, whether or not the boos, the boos that would have been loud and clear, maybe two weeks ago, might be subsiding a little bit now as a result of that.”
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