Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic is paying a heavy price for his refusal to receive the Corona vaccine, which raises questions about the secret of his insistence not to receive the vaccine, even though he swims alone against the global trend, and has become an outcast from all upcoming tournaments.
In a lengthy article for the British newspaper The Independent, Tom Kershaw, head of product and technology at Travelport, wrote that tennis legend Djokovic’s belief in alternative medicine fueled his resistance to a vaccine, and that his controversial beliefs are part of a broader topic embedded in his entire career.
Kershaw described Djokovic as unique in his beliefs, very stubborn, and has a strong determination to see these beliefs come true to their bitter ends, adding that these qualities that the epidemic resurrected in him have now made him a legend and an outcast at the same time.
He suggested that many would dismiss Djokovic’s seemingly unsuccessful attempt to get an exemption to defend his Australian Open title next week as a selfish look.
How is Djokovic related to alternative medicine?
Djokovic said – according to Kershaw – that when one of the defining days of his career came in the summer of 2010, when he had already won his first Grand Slam title, he was suffering from shortness of breath that recurred during the matches.
Watching Djokovic now means seeing one of the world’s most endurance athletes in action, the writer said. He covers the tennis court with robotic efficiency, always two steps ahead of his opponents.
He added that Djokovic was in the midst of tough matches, on several occasions, feeling unusually tired, and on one occasion he called for a medical break for fear of a possible collapse.
Serbian Dr. Igor Setojevic, who describes himself as a “specialist in energy medicine”, was contacted, and the two met in Croatia, where Setojevic asked Djokovic to extend his left arm while pressing a piece of bread on his stomach, and to Djokovic’s surprise, his arm felt noticeably weak when you were close to the bread.
As absurd as it may seem that such a delicate player was obedient to such obscure “alternative remedies”, it is possible to see all the success and controversy in Djokovic’s career; 20 Grand Slam titles, a record number of days spent at world number one.
The writer went on to say that long before Djokovic stubbornly garnered the greatest sporting achievement of the modern era, he had already been rooted in a mindset of claiming control over outside influences. Growing up as an Orthodox Christian in war-torn Serbia, he learned to be self-sufficient.
This inherent resistance and suffering, often interpreted as obnoxious or reclusive, has always been central to Djokovic’s character. It also served as a defensive mechanism, protecting him from the public’s favoritism for Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, and the feeling that he had always been an unwelcome intruder on their legacy.
Kershaw said this underdog mentality helps explain Djokovic’s belief in alternative medicines, and his skepticism about traditional science. He insists that he can find “basic ways of survival” by harnessing the strength of his body, whether it’s fighting a virus or an infection, without having to resort to outside intervention.
Djokovic uses a spiritual guide
At times, this belief elicited comical moments, as when Djokovic teamed up with Pepe Imaz, a spiritual guide and coach, whose techniques included the power of extraordinarily long hugs. At about the same time, Djokovic proceeded to extol the virtues of telekinesis and telepathy, and noted “gifts from God that allow us to understand a higher power and order in ourselves”.
Just last year, after losing the US Open final to Daniil Medvedev, Djokovic made one of a series of pilgrimages to the Pyramid of the Sun in the hilly Bosnian town of Visoko. The ancient site is said to have mystical healing powers. “I know there are many doubts and dilemmas about the authenticity of this place, but to fully understand what is happening here … you have to come,” Djokovic said after one visit.
His friendship with businessman Chervin Yavaré, who sells all kinds of natural supplements, drew undue attention when Djokovic claimed – in a live broadcast – that toxic food and contaminated water can be purified through “active transformation, through the power of prayer, through the power of gratitude.” “.
But the true depth of Djokovic’s belief in alternative therapies was his staunch opposition to surgery in 2017. Despite suffering from unbearable pain in his elbow, which led to Djokovic failing to reach his first grand slam semi-final in over a decade, he was adamant. On it can be found a cure with holistic medicine.
When he finally gave up in February 2018, Djokovic claimed that he cried three days after waking up from the operation. “Every time I thought about what to do, I felt like I had let myself down,” he said. He has won 8 of the four Grand Slam tournaments he has played since then.
Kershaw concluded that these stories help determine the reason for Djokovic’s resistance to the vaccine. He is not opposed to vaccination in terms of indulging in wild conspiracy theories specifically related to knockout, but he is ideologically opposed to such methods of scientific treatment in all areas. I have to get a vaccine so I can travel.”
