Former World No.1 Marcelo Rios has labelled Novak Djokovic the “king of stupidity” over his continued refusal to get the Covid-19 vaccine.
The 20-time grand slam champion has played just one tournament so far in 2022, losing to Jiri Vesely in the quarter-finals of the Dubai Championships.
He will return to action on Tuesday at the Monte Carlo Masters, intent on moving past the controversy surrounding his vaccination status.
“I miss competition,” the Serbian star said on Sunday on the opening day of the clay-court season in Monaco.
“I still feel motivation to be on the tour and compete… and try to challenge the best players in the world for the biggest titles.”
However one person who isn’t ready to move on is Rios, who still can’t believe that Djokovic is willing to give up the race to become the greatest male player of all time.
“It’s stupid, he is going to give up the race and he is not going to be the best in history because of a vaccine,” Rios said to the La Tercera newspaper.
“I thought the same (initially), but then I started travelling and I had to take it.
“I don’t know what the reason is, but if you’re trying to be the best in history and you’re going to give up the race for some vaccines, you have to be the king of stupidity.
“I believe that at first it was out of fear, but now he is being too arrogant.”
