Jimmy Connors: ‘Ostracized’ Novak Djokovic stood up for his beliefs

Jimmy Connors is praising Novak Djokovic for standing up for his beliefs “to the point of being ostracized from the game.”

After the Australia visa saga, the general expectation was that Djokovic would take the COVID-19 vaccine. 

Instead, Djokovic kept firm in his beliefs. 

After being denied participation at last year’s Australian Open and US Open, Djokovic enjoyed a triumphant return to Australia at the start of this season. 

Also, it is all pointing toward Djokovic being allowed to compete at the US Open later this year.

Connors: Djokovic stood up for his beliefs

“The guy stood up for his beliefs, right or wrong, some people are going to say moving to the left, the other is going to stay moving to the right? But he stood up for his beliefs and he was willing to stick by that, to the point of being ostracized from the game. That’s brutal. I can identify, I was ostracized. You know, from the French Open and from playing some tournaments and stuff like that. So, what the hell, go in there and do your job when that’s the only way to get even. And I hate to say that because it sounds like ‘oh God, he’s angry’, I’m not angry. I just know how many of those people that have cr—– on him last year and all that, are kissing his a** now. All of them,” Connors said on the Advantage Connors podcast, per Sportskeeda. 

For Djokovic, it was the best possible return to Australia.

In his first tournament of the season, Djokovic made it all the way at the Adelaide International.

After winning Adelaide, Djokovic won a record 10th Australian Open title. 

Now, Djokovic is tied with Rafael Nadal on the all-time Grand Slam record list with 22 Majors.

In the remainder of 2023, Djokovic will try to win more Grand Slams and set a new record for the most Majors.