Throwback to when Novak Djokovic criticised Naomi Osaka for not following mandatory rules

Do you remember the time Novak Djokovic had his say on Naomi Osaka’s refusal to take part in press conferences? 

Djokovic has been at the centre of controversy this year, after being deported from Melbourne ahead of the Australian Open because he is unvaccinated against coronavirus.

The men’s world number one has stressed that he is not against vaccination but believes in an individual’s right to choose. 

Speaking to the BBC, the Serbian revealed he would sooner sacrifice winning more trophies rather than be forced to get a Covid-19 vaccine. 

“Yes, that is the price that I’m willing to pay,” he stressed. 

Djokovic is a 20-time Grand Slam champion and became the first person to win all four majors twice when he beat Stefanos Tsitsipas at the French Open last year. 

That same tournament, Osaka became embroiled in controversy when she announced she would not be conducting her mandatory media assignments. 

Osaka said she often felt people had no regard for athletes mental health and that this rings true when it comes to press conferences. 

The majority of players were questioned on their thoughts regarding Osaka’s decision and Djokovic stressed that he felt the four-time major champion should be compelled to take part in media duties like everyone else. 

“I understand that press conferences sometimes can be very unpleasant,” he said.

“And it’s not something that you enjoy, always, you know, especially if you lose a match or something like this.

“But it is part of our sport, it is part of what we do, the media is important without a doubt. It is allowing us to have the platform to communicate with the fans but in a more traditional way. It used to be the only way we could reach out to our fans.”

Osaka was fined $15,000 and