Picture Credit: Twitter
Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic has persisted with his ‘no vaccination’ stand and has said that he has completely closed his mind on this topic. World no.3 is also ready to risk the final Grand Slam of the year, the US Open but won’t take the vaccine against COVID-19. Notably, the Serbian was deported from Australia earlier this year for the same reason.
Ahead of the Wimbledon 2022, Novak Djokovic spoke on multiple topics, and when he was asked about his stand on vaccination, the Serbian said he would continue to stay unvaccinated. He also said that uncertainty about his US Open chances will work as added motivation for him at Wimbledon. “As of today, I'm not allowed to enter the States under these circumstances. Yes, of course, I'm aware of that. That is an extra motivation to do well here,” said Djokovic.
“Hopefully I can have a very good tournament, as I have done in the last three editions. Then I'll just have to wait and see. I would love to go to the States. But as of today, that's not possible. There is not much I can do anymore. I mean, it's really up to the U.S. government to make a decision whether or not they allow unvaccinated people to go into the country,” he added.
When the Serbian was asked if he has completely closed his mind to getting vaccinated to enable his entry into the USA, Novak Djokovic stated: “Yes.”
I don’t feel it’s fair: Djokovic on ban on Russian and Belarusian players
Novak Djokovic also spoke on Wimbledon’s decision to ban Russian and Belarusian players from participating in the tournament. The World no.3 said that he does not find it fair and fails to understand how these players have contributed to anything that has happened. “Look, I understand the frustration coming from him (Sergiy Stakhovsky) and Ukrainian people towards Russia and what is happening. Of course, I'm not going to comment or get in the midst of the war.
“But on the other hand, I can't say I fully agree to ban Russian tennis players, Belarusian tennis players, from competing indefinitely. I just don't see how they have contributed to anything that is really happening. I mean, I don't feel it's fair,” said Novak Djokovic.