Piers Morgan Apologizes to Novak Djokovic
On a recent episode of his show, Piers Morgan expressed regret for previously congratulating tennis player Novak Djokovic following his expulsion from Australia due to his COVID-19 vaccination status.
Back in March 2022, Morgan had criticized Djokovic, accusing him of “cheating with COVID-19 rules” and lying on his immigration paperwork, after Djokovic was removed from Australia and barred from participating in the Australian Open. During a conversation on “Piers Morgan Uncensored,” Morgan suggested that Djokovic was “censoring” himself and others who hadn’t been vaccinated.
In the episode, Morgan stated, “I have been quite censorious towards you,” reflecting on the harsh judgments he had made about Djokovic’s situation. He recalled how Djokovic faced backlash over his controversial exit from Australia, where many felt he was trying to manipulate entry regulations. Morgan noted, “I have actually been very censorious about a lot of people. I got the COVID vaccine,” hinting at his stance during the pandemic.
He admitted that he had previously criticized others too harshly, especially as new information emerged regarding vaccination and infection rates. Morgan now views it as a personal decision for each individual, suggesting that the emphasis should perhaps shift away from collective blame.
Djokovic had arrived in Melbourne on January 4, 2022, with a medical exemption but quickly faced public scrutiny over its legitimacy. His visa was later revoked, and he was detained due to allegations about his vaccination status and incorrect information on his travel documents. After losing his court appeal, Djokovic was deported on January 16, 2022, just ahead of the Australian Open.
He faced allegations of misrepresenting his travel history before entering the country but later clarified that the misinformation was unintentional. Morgan acknowledged that it was inappropriate for him to judge Djokovic without being fully informed of the complexities of the case. Interestingly, weeks ahead of the Australian Open, Djokovic had tested positive for COVID-19, and a federal judge later criticized the actions of Australian immigration officials.
Reflecting on the situation, Morgan expressed that with the additional details that emerged, he regretted being overly critical. “I didn’t really know you, so I took the harsh narrative at face value. It seems that it was far more complicated than I realized.”
Djokovic responded positively, indicating that they had all experienced tough times. He appreciated Morgan’s honesty and urged not to overanalyze the situation. “I’ve always believed in the freedom to choose—whether one is pro-vaccine or anti-vaccine,” Djokovic said, emphasizing the importance of personal choice amid the pandemic.
