Novak Djokovic comment – Brutal reality of vaccine stance bites as No 1 ranking is gone

Novak Djokovic insisted he was prepared to accept any sporting price to avoid being vaccinated against Covid-19 and now one of his biggest prizes in tennis will be torn away from him.

After a tumultuous start to 2022, Djokovic will be dethroned as the world No 1 by Daniil Medvedev next Monday, with the hammer blows continuing to land on the flesh of the 20-time Grand Slam champion.

Djokovic was relatively comfortable in his first two matches in his first event of the year in Dubai, but a combination of some unusual mistakes and an inspired opponent contributed to a 6-4 7-6 (4) defeat that spells the end of Djokovic’s current two-year reign at the top of the rankings.

Qatari investment in padel

What is padel?

What next for Raducanu?

Djokovic's best match

Medvedev and Zverev could be the new Big Two

Andy Murray's future

Rafael Nadal's Australian Open win

The future of the Big 3 in tennis

The Serbian has sat in the number one spot since overtaking Rafael Nadal on February 2, 2020, setting a new record last March for weeks at the top that currently stands at 361.

But next week that position will be taken by US Open champion Medvedev, who is through to the quarter-finals of the Mexican Open in Acapulco.

“It is great for tennis to have someone new at World No. 1,” said Vesely after his remarkable win. “Novak is such a champion, he has been No. 1 for 361 weeks, but tennis needs new World No. 1s and there is a new generation coming up and I think it is great.

“I never really thought I would have a chance against Novak. He is one of the greatest of all time. After the past 12 months, it is unbelievable. I have so many emotions inside. It is hard to describe. It is an amazing feeling.”

It seems inconceivable that a player who won