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B4 Wednesday, February 16, 2022
Djokovic says he’d rather skip Wimbledon and French Open than get a coronavirus vaccine Adela Suliman The Washington Post
The world’s top-ranked men’s tennis player, Novak Djokovic, said in an interview broadcast Tuesday that he had not been vaccinated against the coronavirus and was prepared to sacrifice playing in Grand Slam tournaments rather than be forced to take the shot. In an interview with the BBC, the Serbian star said it was a “misconception” and “wrong conclusion” that he was part of the antivaccine movement, stating instead that he supported the freedom to choose. “I was never against vaccination,” Djokovic said. “I understand that globally, everyone is trying to put a big effort into handling this virus . . . but I’ve always represented and always supported the freedom to choose what you put into your body and for me that is essential.” Asked whether he was prepared to forgo major tournaments such as the French Open and Wimbledon, Djokovic said, “Yes, that is the price that I’m willing to pay. The principles of decision-making on my body are more important than any title or anything else. I’m trying to be in tune with my body as much as I possibly can.” Djokovic, 34, was deported from Australia in January after a nearly twoweek saga that included court challenges, visa cancellations and a stay at an immigration detention hotel as protesters and supporters stood vigil outside. The government canceled his visa on the grounds that his presence in the country might incite anti-vaccine sentiment and “civil unrest.” Governments, employers and public health officials globally have encouraged coronavirus vaccination and championed its primary role in quelling the spread of the deadly virus. In many countries, those who are unvaccinated face the loss of their jobs and greater travel restrictions. People who are vaccinated and boosted have considerable protection from serious illness, top health officials have said, with the unvaccinated more vulnerable to death and hospitalization from covid-19. Health officials have also argued that
getting vaccinated helps to protect others, including the immunocompromised. Djokovic said that he understood he was part of a global sport and that not being able to travel freely because of his unvaccinated status could hinder his storied career. “I understand the consequences of my decision,” he said. Djokovic has won the French Open twice, including in 2021, and has six Wimbledon titles, including the past three. Although he has been championed by those in the global anti-vaccine movement, “I have never said that I’m part of that,” he added. Djokovic’s deportation had sparked a diplomatic crisis, with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic claiming the tennis star was the victim of a “political witch hunt,” as Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison defended the decision, noting that Australians “have made many sacrifices during this pandemic . . . and they rightly expect the result of those sacrifices to be protected.” Djokovic said in the BBC interview that he sympathized with the people of Australia who had to endure a strict and lengthy lockdown and understood the “frustrations” toward him. “I would like to say that I always followed the rules,” he said. “I never used my privileged status to get into Australia by force or do anything in this entire process.” Last month’s men’s Australian Open final was won by Spanish star Rafael Nadal, who at the time said he felt “sorry” for his rival over the uproar but noted that Djokovic knew the risks. Nadal said that he supported vaccination and that it was “normal” for people in Australia to feel “very frustrated with the case.” Djokovic, who has tested positive for the virus twice, said he has never downplayed the severity of covid-19 - which has so far killed more than 5.8 million people globally. “Millions of people have and are still struggling with covid around the world so I take this very seriously,” he said. He also did not rule out getting vaccinated in the future, stating: “I keep my mind open.”
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Seth Curry, Andre Drummond key Nets to blowout win, snapping 11-game losing streak Matthew Roberson New York Daily News
All it took for the Nets to snap their embarrassing 11-game losing streak was a game against another team that barely knows each other. As has become their custom, the Nets did not always make it easy on themselves. They were able to stay out of their own way enough to scratch together a 109-85 win over the visiting Sacramento Kings, though. Monday night’s showdown at Barclays Center hosted two teams that look very different than they did a week ago. On the Nets’ side, newcomers Andre Drummond and Seth Curry both got a start in their Brooklyn debut. Drummond finished with 11 points and nine rebounds in 24 minutes while Curry showcased the type of quick-heating offense that will make him a lifesaver for this floundering team. The younger Curry brother went for 23 points on 10-of-18 shooting (3-of-8 from deep) in his first game with the Nets. For Sacramento, one half of their new franchise duo was slow to acclimate. Domantas Sabonis, who the Kings are praying can be a playoff-worthy tandem with De’Aaron Fox, had just five points in the first half and nine total. Fox did his part, leading the way with 26, but their supporting cast turned in a perfect example of why the league was so puzzled to see the Kings make a trade deadline push to go all in. In addition to Sabonis, Justin Holiday was in the starting lineup for the Kings, giving them two starters who were playing for different teams last week, just like the Nets. While the continuity took a while to set in for the guys in purple and white, the Nets had no such problems. The newly-inspired team jumped out to an early 19-point lead that slowly
WENDELL CRUZ/USA TODAY
Brooklyn Nets guard Seth Curry (30) drives past Sacramento Kings guard Donte DiVincenzo (0) in the fourth quarter at Barclays Center on Monday.
dripped down to a one-point lead early in the second half. It was then that the Nets appeared to remember these were the Kings they’re dealing with. Led by Curry, who exhibited some Steph-like confidence throughout the frame, the Nets outscored their opponents 25-18 in the third quarter. Curry hit a series of buttery jump shots set up by his expert footwork, Drummond provided a crowd-fueling block on one end and a timeout-inducing dunk on the other end to cap a 23-7 run, and that basically wrapped things up. While the haters will say that the win was cheapened because it came against a team learning its personnel on the fly, the Nets would have taken a win in any way, shape or form. Whether it was 70-69 or 150-100, a win means the Nets are no longer lugging around a worrisome losing streak, and the raucous celebration in their locker room could be heard throughout the bowels of the arena. If Curry’s first day on the
job was any indication, the team has solved its shooting woes too while also instantly adding a scoring guard who can carry some of Kyrie Irving’s weight during the home games he’s choosing to skip. Though it’s just one game, the Nets exhibited an unbridled joy throughout Monday’s win that had been sorely missing all season. Whenever Ben Simmons is ready to lace them up, he’ll do so without the burden of having to be the main attraction. At some point, presumably, he’ll play alongside both Irving and Kevin Durant, allowing him to mostly focus on defense and distribution. Durant’s gravity is sure to make life very easy on Curry, who is making 40% of his three-point attempts for the sixth straight season. The Nets did all of this without Nic Claxton as well, who was part of the active roster but caught a DNP - coach’s decision. The night of inactivity was Claxton’s fifth straight as the former first-round pick eases his way back from a
hamstring injury. LaMarcus Aldridge was back in the lineup after seven games on the shelf. The veteran scorer was dealing with ankle troubles but didn’t show it against the Kings’ frontline. His 13 points in the first half were the Nets’ high and he finished the game with an efficient 19 in 19 minutes off the bench. Bruce Brown, who started the game by canning his first four shots, added 19 points of his own. A trip across the bridge awaits the Nets now, as they’ll tangle with the Knicks at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday in a rare road game that will not grant Irving attendance. It is still quite striking to think about how good the Nets can and should be when they have all of their players together on the same court. Until that can happen, performances like Monday’s are a great building block, both for getting back in the win column and for feeling the positive emotions that come with good basketball again.
NHL roundup: Matt Boldy’s first hat trick boosts Wild past Wings Field Level Media
Matt Boldy notched his first career hat trick as the Minnesota Wild downed the Detroit Red Wings 7-4 on Monday in Saint Paul, Minn. Boldy, a 20-year-old rookie who entered the night with four goals on the season, also had an assist. Kirill Kaprizov supplied two goals and an assist for Minnesota, and Joel Eriksson Ek had a goal and an assist. Ryan Hartman also scored, Mats Zuccarello notched three assists and Jared Spurgeon collected two assists. Kaapo Kahkonen stopped 30 shots for the Wild, who are 11-1-1 in their past 13 games. Third-year player Gustav Lindstrom scored his first career goal for Detroit. Dylan Larkin had a goal and an assist. Lucas Raymond and Sam Gagner also scored for Detroit, and Moritz Seider and Tyler Bertuzzi each had two assists. Alex Nedeljkovic made 18 saves. Blackhawks 3, Jets 1 Patrick Kane had a goal and an assist, giving him 10 points over his past seven games, and Marc-Andre Fleury made 31 saves to lead Chicago to a win at Winnipeg. With the game tied 1-1 at 9:42 of the third period, Alex DeBrincat took a loose puck at center ice and skated into the slot before wiring a wrist shot past Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck (21 saves). Brandon Hagel sealed Chicago’s victory with an empty-net goal in the final minute, with both Kane and Fleury recording assists. Mark Scheifele tallied the Jets’ only goal, extending his goalscoring streak to four games. Oilers 3, Sharks 0
BRAD REMPEL/USA TODAY
Minnesota Wild left wing Matt Boldy (12) celebrates his hat trick against the Detroit Red Wings in the second period at Xcel Energy Center on Monday.
Stuart Skinner made 20 saves for his first career shutout while leading visiting Edmonton past San Jose. Connor McDavid, Warren Foegele and Darnell Nurse scored goals for the Oilers, who improved to 2-0-0 under new head coach Jay Woodcroft while also moving to 4-0-1 in their past five road games. Evan Bouchard added a pair of assists. James Reimer stopped 36 of 39 shots for San Jose, which was playing its first game since Feb. 1. It was the fourth shutout at home this season for the Sharks, who are winless in their past four games (0-2-2). Maple Leafs 6, Kraken 2 Mitchell Marner had a goal and two
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assists, Michael Bunting contributed a goal and an assist and Toronto won at Seattle. Alexander Kerfoot, Ondrej Kase, David Kampf and Jake Muzzin also scored for the Maple Leafs, who finished a threegame trip with one win. Auston Matthews and Timothy Liljegren each added two assists while Jack Campbell made 23 saves for the Maple Leafs. Calle Jarnkrok had a goal and an assist for the Kraken, who lost for the fourth time in their past six games. Jared McCann also scored. Seattle goaltender Philipp Grubauer allowed three goals on 11 shots in the first period. He was replaced to start the second period by Chris Driedger, who made 11 saves.
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