Many would have relished Novak Djokovic’s loss today in the semi-final of the Australian Open. I’ve never understood the hate for the man.

Generations in the future will look upon him as a hero. Not for his sublime tennis, but for his principled stance on personal freedom.

There’s a fascinating moment in a BBC interview in February of 2022, not long after Djokovic was deported and therefore unable to play in the Australian Open, where he is asked directly ‘if he’s prepared to forego the chance to be the greatest player that ever picked up a racquet’ because of his vaccine stance.

Djokovic answers...