The New
York Post has revealed that the pharmaceutical giant Moderna, a partner of the
US Open, has enlisted former FBI agents to monitor
Novak Djokovic due to his
anti-vax sentiments.
The World
No. 1 faced controversy during the Covid-19 pandemic for publicly refusing to
get vaccinated, leading to his absence from several tournaments between 2022
and 2023, including Indian Wells, Miami Open, Cincinnati, Canada, Australian
Open, and the US Open.
In 2022,
Djokovic was not present at Flushing Meadows to defend the title he had secured
a year earlier, and Carlos Alcaraz ultimately claimed the trophy. Upon Novak
Djokovic's return to the USA this year, he reclaimed the US Open title and
achieved a record of 24 Grand Slam titles in the tournament, where Moderna
stands as one of the major commercial partners. In the 2023 final against
Daniil Medvedev, Djokovic ironically won the "Moderna Shot of the
Day."
The New
York Post reported that the pharmaceutical giant Moderna has hired former FBI
agents to monitor certain public figures who have refused the vaccine,
including SpaceX founder Elon Musk, actor and comedian Russell Brand, and the
World No. 1 tennis player Novak Djokovic.
According
to journalists Lee Fang and Jack Poulson, a "disinformation
department" was established to monitor public anti-vaccine sentiments
shared by celebrities:
"The
optics of [Novak Djokovic], whose vaccine opposition barred him from competing
in the 2022 US Open, returning to and winning the Moderna-sponsored competition
bolster anti-vaccine claims that vaccines — and mandates — are unnecessary,"
stated Fang and Poulson's report.
Djokovic
recently concluded his 2023 season on a high note, securing his seventh ATP
Finals title. However, his Davis Cup journey with the Serbian team came to an
end in the semifinals against Italy, who went on to become the champions of the
prestigious team tournament.
The Serbian
tennis star has now kicked off his well-deserved vacation alongside his family,
currently unwinding on the beaches of Marbella, Spain, before gearing up for
the pre-season training sessions.