On his Sirius XM radio show, Howard Stern bashed tennis star Novak Djokovic and said he should be "thrown out of tennis" for being an anti-vaxxer.
Stern, who also didn't take kindly to NFL star Aaron Rodgers' anti-vaxxer stance–called Djokovic a “f'knut” and “douchebag” for refusing to take a COVID-19 vaccine to help prevent the spread of infection in the midst of an active pandemic.
“That f'knut Djokovic - the Joker. I call him the Joker. What a f'king a**hole," said Stern of the 34-year-old Serbian tennis pro.
"The first I heard of this guy is that he doesn’t want to get his vaccine. And he’s running around... they should throw him right the f'k out of tennis. That’s it. Goodbye."
You can listen to his commentary, here.
WARNING: explicit language
Howard Stern goes off on \u201cf**knut\u201d Novak Djokovic: \u201cThrow him right the f**k out of tennis.\u201dpic.twitter.com/9VbE9Zw0Be— Mike Sington (@Mike Sington) 1641936569
Djokovic was previously detained at the Melbourne airport after the Australian government canceled his visa over his vaccine status. He had told border officials he was not vaccinated but claimed he had a medical exemption because he contracted and recovered from COVID-19.
On Monday, he won his visa appeal against the Australian government and was allowed to stay in the country and avoid deportation.
Federal Circuit Court Judge Anthony Kelly ordered to reinstate Djokovic's visa. However, in the midst of an ongoing debate over the country's strict vaccine mandates, Australia’s immigration minister could consider canceling the tennis pro's visa again.
Stern railed into Djokovic after news of the tennis star's court case victory.
Stern's cohost, Robin Quivers, mentioned Djokovic had to sit out some games after he and his wife were diagnosed with COVID-19 at the start of the pandemic.
She also noted Djokovic has been unclear about his vaccination status until recently.
According to the Guardian, Djokovic revealed his anti-vaccine stance during a Live Facebook chat with fellow Serbian atheteles in 2020.
Djokovic reportedly said:
“Personally I am opposed to vaccination and I wouldn’t want to be forced by someone to take a vaccine in order to be able to travel. But if it becomes compulsory, what will happen? I will have to make a decision.”
“I have my own thoughts about the matter and whether those thoughts will change at some point, I don’t know."
Twitter joined Stern in skewering the disgraced tennis pro.
Howard Stern is 100% correct.— A Wee Bit Wicked \u270d\ud83c\udffd \ud83d\udcf7 (@A Wee Bit Wicked \u270d\ud83c\udffd \ud83d\udcf7) 1641940958
As a tennis fan this toolbox jokervic is never going to be as good as Nadal or Federer, it takes more than talent to be great and with clown doesn't have it— House of El (@House of El) 1641988155
Djokovic feels entitled because he can hit a tennis ball. He won\u2019t disclose his vaccine status. Covid will mutate & continue to infect & kill people until everyone is vaccinated. The End— We Can Only Hope!! (@We Can Only Hope!!) 1641994873
I never really liked him until I saw hom on AGOT as a judge, and changed my tune lol. His outlook on Jerk-ovitch is spot on.. .I was cracking up. Get the shot, or stay home...it's that simple.— KimTwin (@KimTwin) 1642002398
Well, the rules of Australia should apply equally to everyone, even rich sports stars like Djokovic. And the Aussie Open rules too. No special treatment should be given.— Shawn Olson \ud83d\udd25 (@Shawn Olson \ud83d\udd25) 1641971714
I agree with Howard!! The voice of reason!— Marcella Berardi (@Marcella Berardi) 1641964692
One thing about Stern is he is smart and informed unlike the tennis player in question. He is also extremwly honest in his arguments— Peter Smithy (@Peter Smithy) 1642011824
Howard has a stern view of the matter.pic.twitter.com/BsZPtoxkh4— LiNC\ud83d\ude37LN PARK (@LiNC\ud83d\ude37LN PARK) 1641990765
Novak should have been vaccinated period— Redwolf601 (@Redwolf601) 1642004720
He's 100% correct. You don't want to be vaccinated? Fine. Then stay home and stop spreading it and taxing the medical system. There are consequences to not upholding your end of the social contract— Martin Molloy (@Martin Molloy) 1641999626
Stern also referred to an interview in April 2021 in which the men's world no. 1 told reporters that when it came to vaccines, he believed in freedom of choice.
"I don't think it'll come to that. I hope not, because I've always believed in freedom of choice," Djokovic said, adding:
"I will keep the decision as to whether I'm going to get vaccinated or not to myself, it's an intimate decision and I don't want to go into this game of pro and against vaccines, which the media is, unfortunately, creating these days."
"I don't want to be labeled as someone who is against or who is for vaccines. I'm not going to answer the question... and hope that everyone will respect that."
Stern specifically griped over Djokovic's comment about vaccinations being a "private decision."
Said Stern during his show:
"Where is the statement, let me see. 'Getting vaccinated is a private decision, you shouldn't be mandated.'"
"That is right, stay away from other people, that is like saying smoking is a private decision, well that is true, but don't smoke in my face, f'knut, what a dummy."
"Just a big dumb tennis player."
Djokovic remains optimistic after winning his appeal on Monday and says he plans to compete in the Australian Open, which begins on January 17.
