Tennis legend Martina Navratilova has weighed into the ongoing Novak Djokovic saga, urging the world number one to 'suck it up' and go home.
The defending Australian Open champion's hope of winning a record 21st grand slam in Melbourne remain in doubt over growing questions about his visa application and Covid-19 vaccine exemption.
The federal government is deliberating whether to launch a renewed bid to deport Djokovic after his agent made 'administrative error' on his travel entry form upon arrival in Australia.
The tennis superstar has also admitted doing an interview and photo shoot with a French newspaper while infected with Covid last month.
Navratilova, who won 18 grand slam singles titles and another 41 in doubles slammed Djokovic over his anti-vaccination views and believes his visa to remain in Australia should be cancelled.
Novak Djokovic (pictured training in Melbourne on Wednesday) has come under from more heavy fire, this time from one of his most vocal supporters
'The best thing for Novak to do I think would be just say 'you know what, there are too many mistakes, this is not OK and the right thing to do is just to go home,' the three-time Australian Open champion told Sunrise on Thursday.
'It's just the right thing to do, but I don't think he will do that because he wants that 21st title.'
Previously one of his most vocal supporters, Navratilova blasted Djokovic over the ongoing Australian Open controversy and says he must make a choice- 'get vaccinated or don't play'.
'Your personal beliefs have to be trumped by what is good for the greater good for those around you a your peers,' she said.
'If I were in the same situation and I didn't want the vaccine, worried what it may do to my body, everyone else is doing it because it is the right thing to do and the country demands it.
'He had a choice not to get vaccinated and he had a choice not to play and he had a choice once he tested positive not to go out.'
Tennis legend Martina Navratilova (pictured) believes Novak Djokovic should withdraw from the Australian Open and go home
She added the nine-time Australian Open champion had a responsibility as a leader in the sport and a role model as she urged Djokovic to 'suck it up.'
'I defended Novak, admired his commitment to becoming the best tennis player he could possibly be as I know it takes to do that,' Navratilova said.
'At the same time, again, when you want to be a leader in a sport, there is a responsibility that comes with that.
'There are so many times where I want to throw the racquet but I thought I couldn't because the kids are watching.
'Same goes with the vaccine, may not be something you want to do but the numbers are astonishingly in favour of getting vaccinated to get rid of this horrible COVID, infection infecting the whole world. You suck it up for the team and the greater good.'
She isn't surprised about the widespread backlash in Australia over Djokovic.
'This has happened in Australia in Melbourne, the biggest lockdown city in the world,' she said.
'I want to be talking about tennis, not about this. I don't think Aussies will take kindly to it. They have sucked it up for one-and-a-half years now.'
Martina Navratilova (pictured competing at Wimbledon in 1982) says Novak Djokovic must make a choice- 'get vaccinated or don't play'
She's also concerned about the reaction from Serbian fans and warned 'there is going to be a problem' if Djokovic takes to the court when the grand slam gets underway next week.
Navratilova added the statements from Djokovic's parents back in Serbia 'haven't helped' in the saga.
'Serbian fans get very emotional, you've had problems in Melbourne and Sydney,' she said.
'If he plays, there is going to be a problem.'
'Right now, Novak is very divisive.'
'Sometimes you just need to do the right thing and calm things down rather than make things worse.
'The Serbian people I'm sure are
