Nearly four years after the 2021 Australian Open controversy, Novak Djokovic has accepted an apology from Piers Morgan, who had publicly branded the tennis star a “liar and cheat” over his deportation from Australia.
The interview, aired on Piers Morgan Uncensored, marked a reconciliation between the broadcaster and the 24-time Grand Slam champion.
Djokovic maintains that his stance on COVID-19 vaccinations was widely misinterpreted at the time, fueling global headlines and controversy.
The 2021 Australian Open Saga Revisited
In January 2021, Australian immigration minister Alex Hawke denied Djokovic entry into the country because he was not fully vaccinated.
Djokovic was held for five days at Melbourne’s Park Hotel while he challenged the decision, ultimately being sent home without the opportunity to defend his Australian Open title.
The ordeal was highly publicized, with Morgan among the most vocal critics.
At the time, he tweeted a scathing rebuke, labeling Djokovic a “COVID rule cheat” and an “anti-vaxxer icon.”
Djokovic would return to Australia in 2023 and triumph at the Open, claiming a record-extending 10th title.
Morgan Issues a Candid Apology
In the interview, Morgan acknowledged that he had been “censorious” and admitted he had not known the full facts.
“I was very censorious about you over the COVID scandal you got caught up in,” Morgan told Djokovic.
“I was too quick to judge based on media reports. I now understand more about your situation and how it became a political decision rather than a medical one.”
He admitted that his initial reaction had been influenced by personal emotions and limited information, and he offered a sincere apology for the language and judgment he had used.
Djokovic Explains His Position
Djokovic, in turn, explained that he had never been strictly pro- or anti-vaccine, but had always emphasized “freedom of choice.”
“I was proclaimed to be on one side or the other, black or white,” Djokovic said.
“I said, it doesn’t need to be that way. I take care of my body, I’ve done my research, and I wasn’t a threat to anyone.
I’ve had COVID multiple times, so I had antibodies.”
The Serbian star expressed gratitude for Morgan’s honesty, reflecting on the global difficulties during the pandemic.
“It was difficult times and a state of emergency globally.
We’ve all been through hell,” Djokovic said.
Politics, Health, and Controversy
Djokovic previously claimed that his deportation was politically motivated.
He told GQ magazine that Australian authorities feared he had become a “hero” for the anti-vaccination movement, and that the decision was less about COVID rules than political optics.
His positive COVID test in December 2021 initially granted him an exemption from Australia’s vaccine requirements, as he was deemed to have antibodies in his system.
Later, Djokovic sensationally alleged that he had been “poisoned” while in detention, claiming elevated levels of lead and mercury in his body upon returning to Serbia.
Reactions from Australian Officials
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described Djokovic’s treatment by the former federal government as “astonishing.”
He criticized the denial of basic rights, including the opportunity to see his Orthodox priest during the Christmas period, calling the situation hard to justify.
Moving On and Looking Ahead
Despite the controversy, Djokovic returned to Australia in 2023 and won the Australian Open, reaffirming his dominance on the tennis court.
The full conversation between Djokovic and Morgan, which offers insight into the media, politics, and personal experience behind one of the sport’s most publicized controversies, is available on Piers Morgan Uncensored on YouTube.