Stefanos Tsitsipas: Novak Djokovic is “playing by his own rules” in Australia

WATCH: Tennis Channel Live discusses Novak Djokovic’s status for the upcoming Australian Open

World No. 1 Novak Djokovic is included in the Australian Open draw—for now—but he’s “playing by his own rules” in the process, according to Stefanos Tsitsipas.

The Greek star didn’t pull any punches when asked about the ongoing uncertainty around the defending champion’s participation.

"For sure he's been playing by his own rules and has been doing something that not many players have the guts to go and do, especially after the ATP announced certain criteria for players to enter the country," Tsitsipas said in an interview with India media outlet WION.

"No one would have really thought: 'I can come to Australia unvaccinated and not have to follow the protocols they gave me'. It takes a lot of daring to do, I think, putting a Grand Slam at risk, I don't think a lot of players would do that.”

Tsitsipas himself was publicly reluctant to get his COVID-19 vaccine, even receiving sharp criticism from his country’s government for his stance. But he has since joined the 97 percent of Top 100 players to have received the jab, according to the ATP.

"There's two ways to look at it," Tsitsipas added. "One way is every single player, almost, [has] been vaccinated. They did what they had to do to perform and play in Australia… we've all followed the protocols in order to compete in Australia, who have been very disciplined in that part.

“On the other hand, it seems not everyone is playing by the rules … a very small majority chose to follow their own way, which kind of makes the majority look like fools.”