Novak Djokovic’s vaccination tale has been one of the most talked-about topics since his deportation from Australia in January. Fans, players, and experts around the globe are having their say in the matter.

Recently, another fellow player of Djokovic expressed his views on the issue. Croatian Borna Coric came out in public, commenting on the matter. World No. 88 refrained from criticizing World No.1. Instead, he came out in support of Novak, as he emphasized respecting his decision. 

Coric has faced Novak 4 times in his career, the last being at the 2020 ATP 500 Vienna Open. Djokovic leads the head-to-head race with an astonishing 4-0 lead. 

The 25-year-old Djokovic

Opening up on the issue, Coric showed utmost grace as he presented his say. He refrained to comment much on the matter. Instead, he respected Djokovic’s decision. “He’s his own man, he can do what he wants. I had the vaccine, but I don’t have much to add… It is his decision and I respect it.”

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He further went on to appreciate Djokovic for being firm on his decision and not coming down because of the high mental and physical pressure. “I was not surprised, we all know how strong he is mentally, he won’t cave because of the pressure.”

Commenting on Djokovic’s performance, Croatian Borna Coric said that he still feels that Djokovic, still, is the favorite in most Grand Slam tournaments. Reasoning his statement, the former World No. 12 appreciated Djokovic’s body as he compared it to his own. “He’s got the body of a 25-year old. And a healthy one, not me, ha-ha!”

Novak Djokovic vs. Borna Coric

Djokovic and Coric first met at the 2016 ATP Masters 100 Mutua Madrid Open. Losing in the opening match of the 2016 ATP Masters 1000 Monte Carlo, Djokovic entered Madrid seeking revenge for his previous loss. Getting a first-round bye, he faced Coric in the second round of the Madrid Open. He showed no mercy on the Croatian as he took just 1 hour 18 minutes to beat Coric 6-2,6-4. 

The two next met at the 2018 ATP Masters 1000, Monte Carlo. Experiencing an opening-round loss in Miami, the Serbian showed no mercy to cover it up as he cruised through the first round with complete ease. In the second round, he faced Coric. Even though Borna raised his game to give a competition to Novak, it was Nole who came out to be victorious with a scoreline of 7-6,7-5.

The next meeting took place in the same year at the 2018 ATP Masters 1000 Shanghai Open. Both the players had an outstanding run in the tournament, cruising through the previous rounds to reach the final. In the finals, Both the players showed a decent performance hitting some great shots against each other. However, it was the Serb who striked again as he went on to beat Coric 6-3,6-4. 

The two last met in 2020 at the ATP 500 Vienna Open. Even though Borna gave a good fight in the first set, Djokovic repeated history as he toppled the Croatian 4th time, winning the match 7-6,6-3. 

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