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“I object and would not want to be forced to take one”: Novak Djokovic could risk losing his world No. 1 ranking if tennis players are forced to get vaccinated when the action returns after the coronavirus closes
- Novak Djokovic’s opposition to vaccines may hinder his return to tennis
- Momentum grows for all players to be vaccinated once tennis restarts
- Djokovic has expressed his reluctance to receive a coronavirus vaccine.
- The highly contagious virus has wreaked havoc on the tennis calendar.
- Learn more about how to help people affected by COVID
Novak Djokovic’s worldwide opposition to the vaccines could hinder his return to tennis when it finally resumes after the coronavirus pandemic.
The urge grows for all players to be vaccinated when tennis starts again, as long as a vaccine is produced by then.
Former world No. 1 Amelie Mauresmo said last month that tennis should not be resumed unless players can be vaccinated, though the scientific community has repeatedly said it could be a year away, if a vaccine is developed.
Novak Djokovic’s opposition to vaccines could cut half of his return to tennis after COVID-19
“Personally, I am against vaccination and I don’t want someone to force me to be vaccinated in order to travel,” Djokovic said in a live Facebook chat with several Serbian athletes on Sunday.
‘But if it becomes mandatory, what will happen? I will have to make a decision.
‘I have my own thoughts on the matter and I don’t know if those thoughts will ever change.
“Hypothetically, if the season were to resume in July, August, or September, although it is unlikely, I understand that a vaccine will become a requirement immediately after we are out of strict quarantine and there is still no vaccine.”
Djokovic (pictured with his Australian Open cutlery) admits that testing will be necessary if the tennis season is to resume before September 2020
The winner of the Grand Slam Dual, Mauresmo, tweeted last month: ‘Players from international circuits of all nationalities, as well as managers, spectators and people from the four corners of the world who bring these events to life. No vaccine = no tennis.
The tennis world has fallen into chaos due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
The governing bodies have suspended all tournaments until July 13, until now
Wimbledon has been canceled for the first time since World War II, and the French Open has been delayed four months until the end of September.
