The Novak Djokovic saga continues, and not just because Australian Minister for Immigration Alex Hawke continues to have the discretion to exercise his 鈥減ersonal power of cancelation鈥 of the visa issued to the tennis player. As things stand, it hangs like a Damocles sword over the head of the latter, who seems to have been given extraordinary leeway by Tennis Australia officials in the processing of his medical exemption. Moreover, latest developments raise questions about the information on which said exemption is predicated.
Through it all, Djokovic is hellbent on competing in the Australian Open. On one hand, his determination reflects the foundation of his competitiveness on the court; even with the crowd almost always against him in the grandest stages of the sport, and even as circumstances seem to place him at a disadvantage, he manages to time and again snatch victories from the throes of disappointment. On the other, it also underscores his seeming detachment from reality; he鈥檚 an anti-vaxxer who appears to lend credence to conspiracy theories, overwhelming scientific evidence to the contrary notwithstanding.
If there鈥檚 anything Djokovic鈥檚 insistence on staying where he isn鈥檛 welcome shows, it鈥檚 that he has blinders on perennially. And wears these proudly. He cares a lot about public adulation, but wants it on his terms. And if things don鈥檛 go his way, he actually wonders why; the reasons, however valid, are lost on him. Which is to say the foundation of his greatness likewise informs his public intransigence. He鈥檚 not one without the other 鈥 a hero to some, a heel to others.
There can be no questioning the accomplishments Djokovic has carved with a racket in his hands. At the same time, it鈥檚 fair to wonder if his other actions wipe the luster off his resume. He鈥檚 not merely a player, but a citizen of the world. In fact, he bears even more responsibility to be aware of his influence given his status, and use it for the greater good. The end never justifies the means, and it鈥檚 not too late for him to understand why.
Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since 大象传媒 introduced a Sports section in 1994. He is a consultant on strategic planning, operations and Human Resources management, corporate communications, and business development.
