"I admire Djokovic so much but I can't defend not getting vaccinated" says Martina Navratilova

Martina Navratilova recently weighed in on the controversy surrounding Novak Djokovic's bid to defend his title at the 2022 Australian Open.

The 34-year-old is yet to get vaccinated against COVID-19 which has caused a storm upon his arrival in Melbourne. Despite a mandatory vaccination policy put in place by local authorities, the Serb came to Melbourne under "exemption permission." Upon his arrival in Victoria's capital, Australian authorities detained him and revoked his visa, a decision which was overturned by a federal court on Monday after Djokovic appealed the case.

Speaking with the Daily Express, Navratilova said:

"It’s unbelievable - what a saga. It could have been avoided. I just wish Novak had taken that vaccination to begin with. I admire him so much but I can’t defend the choice to not get vaccinated. You have to take one for the team. It’s getting crazier by the minute."

She futher said:

"We’re in such close contact in the locker rooms. I couldn’t wait to get vaccinated. I admire Novak and I know what it takes to be that committed. I would be much more scared of getting sick from not being vaccinated than whatever side effects I might have from the vaccination. You really need to be more aware of everybody else."