Anyone for a glass of Chateau Djokovic?

Novak Djokovic is a masterful tennis player with a controversial personality. 

The Serbian tennis star is hoping that his success on the court - 21 grand slam titles - can translate into wine sales, having launched his first two wines over the weekend. 

Djokovic joins the likes of Ernie Els, Brad Pitt, Kylie Minogue and Graham Norton in launching a wine range, opening serve with a 2020 Djokovic Chardonnay and 2020 Djokovic Syrah. 

Serbian wine magazine Vino & Fino reports that the Djokovic Winery is a new operation in the player's home nation. 

Djokovic's uncle, Goran, is the director of the winery, and he told Vino & Fino that he hopes the vineyard will soon attain a similar status to what his nephew has achieved on-court. 

"There are many challenges, but we try to achieve the maximum in this business, as in everything," Goran Djokovic told Vino & Fino. 

The magazine reports that the Djokovic family vineyard covers six hectares in Sumadija, Serbia, three for white grapes and three for red grapes, on "one of the most attractive lands in Serbia, on red soil rich in stone, marl rock and lime, with large white pieces of stone." 

Šumadija is Serbia’s premiere wine region and is home to leading wine producer Mija Radovanovi.

The wine is currently sold at the Wine & Pleasure store in Belgrade but there are plans for future global distribution. 

Sporting hypocrisy: One rule for the rich and famous

The Australian Open tennis championship has always had a healthy relationship with hypocrisy.

Younger folk may be surprised that this dates all the way back to the days when the tournament was played on grass at Kooyong.

In those days, young ladies in mini skirts would visit the press tent to hand out free samples of the main sponsor's product: cigarettes.

Yes, a tournament promoting healthy activity had Marlboro cigarettes as its major sponsor! And was actively encouraging people to smoke.

More recently they have defied public anger to hold matches in a stadium named after one of Australia's leading bigots.

And, as Malcolm Knox pointed out in The Age: seven tournament sponsors are alcohol sellers: Canadian Club, Treasury Wine Estates, Peroni, Piper-Heidsieck, Grainshaker vodka and Pure Blonde cider.

And now, in a deliberate slap to the face of Australians who have been deprived of family reunions, the right to attend funerals and had lockdowns repeatedly imposed on them, the Australian Open has decided that while Australians should be triple vaxxed mask wearers, different rules apply if you are rich and famous.

And if your attendance will add to box office (ie: money). Don't forget that point.

This comment on my Tweet feed just about summed up the reaction: "Novak rewarded for being a pompous irresponsible anti vaxer …a huge slap to all those Victorians who have endured so much during lockdowns and have still double vaccinated'.

The nitty gritty.

Novak Djokovic, aka the Serbian sook, has refused to make his vaccination status public but in April 2020 the 34-year-old said he was opposed to mandatory jabs.

Now he has been granted an exemption to enter Australia without being vaccinated as he seeks his 10th title at the least of the grand slams.

So if you want to fly in from overseas to watch the tournament you will need to jump through hoops.

If you are the world No.1, then there will be a "medical exception" made for you.

Remember Djokovic organised a Covid super spreader event just 12 months ago.

All forgotten. Because: money.