In a shocking display of rhetoric, Hawaii Governor Josh Green has taken aim at tennis pro Novak Djokovic for playing a casual match with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Rather than applauding the athlete’s prowess on the court, Green unceremoniously wished an injury upon Djokovic during an interview with CNN’s Erin Burnett.
Governor Green, who doubles as an emergency room physician, didn’t hold back his words, suggesting that someone should “hit [Djokovic] with an overhead and show him what it means to hurt somebody.” This strong statement comes as Djokovic is known for his vaccine skepticism, a stance that previously cost him participation in numerous grand slam tournaments, including missing out due to his refusal to take the COVID vaccine.
BURNETT: So, Novak Djokovic, the tennis star, just appeared with RFK on a tennis court together. Djokovic, of course, during COVID, wasn’t even able to play in one of the tournaments because he refused to get the COVID vaccine, right? Couldn’t play in the U.S. Open. It was an Australian Open issue. And now, here they are together. When you look at these cuts now, 25% of HHS, what does that mean for something like vaccines, even, in your state, in the state of Hawaii?
GREEN: It’ll be harder. We have vaccine hesitancy, especially in rural communities. I love to play tennis. I was a competitive tennis player when I was young. But Novak hanging out with RFK, while good for cardiovascular health, won’t do anything to prevent the spread of AIDS with good public health advice. It won’t do anything to help parents keep their kids from getting deadly meningitis if they don’t get their vaccines. This is this kind of B.S. distraction which we expected from a guy who took the job for celebrity reasons. It is catastrophic for our healthcare system to have RFK there. Shame on Novak for cozying up to this guy. Novak, go play tennis, hit a 160 mph serve, but stay out of public health. I hope someone hits him with an overhead and shows him what it means to hurt somebody, because that’s what it’s going to be for all these kids that don’t get vaccinated. And for all the parents that have to deal with the consequences of this vitamin A overdose. These are real issues, and these clowns are not public health people. So, go back to the tennis court, definitely good luck at Wimbledon, stay out of public health.
Green, who previously imposed one of the country’s strictest lockdowns during his tenure as Lieutenant Governor, clearly has strong feelings about vaccine policies and public health measures.
NEW: CNN’s Erin Burnett is stunned that children are “actually taking vitamin A” instead of being jabbed for measles. That’s like calling Vitamin D a conspiracy theory. The expert they brought on—Hawaii Gov. Josh Green, also a doctor—called it “tragic.” “That people are…
— The Vigilant Fox (@VigilantFox)
March 28, 2025
Governor Green’s remarks underscore the fierce debate over public health and the role of vaccines, especially in communities with vaccine hesitancy. As the discourse continues, it remains crucial for leaders to navigate these conversations with care, ensuring that public health remains the ultimate goal.
