Novak Djokovic controversially claimed he may reject a coronavirus vaccine if it is forced upon him in the future. Tennis is currently suspended because of the worldwide pandemic and plans are being drawn up about how future events can continue.
Worldwide travel is expected to be impacted for some time and there could be issues for many players getting to events.
One solution is that stars must be vaccinated, once a cure is found, to enable safe travel to host nations.
However, world No 1 Djokovic admitted he could skip tournaments if he is forced to vaccinate.
The 17-time Grand Slam winner has for a long time preferred natural heeling and remedies over science.
But Serbian government epidemiologist Predrag Kon thinks the tennis legend is sending a worrying message to the public.
“As one of Djokovic’s most loyal supporters, I wish I had had the opportunity to explain the importance and immense contribution of immunisations to the health of the population,’ wrote Kon on his Facebook page.
“It’s too late now, he’s created misconceptions.”
Djokovic’s wife Jelena has also caused a stir as she posted a video on Instagram sharing the conspiracy theory that coronavirus could be spread by 5G.
But it was her husband who came into the firing line for his controversial decision.
“Hypothetically, if the season was to resume in July, August or September, though unlikely, I understand that a vaccine will become a requirement straight after we are out of strict quarantine and there is no vaccine yet,” Djokovic said during a Facebook Live chat with Serbian athletes.
“Personally I am opposed to vaccination and I wouldn’t want to be forced by someone to take a vaccine in order to be able to travel.
“But if it becomes compulsory, what will happen? I will have to make a decision.
“I have my own thoughts about the matter and whether those thoughts will change at some point, I don’t know.”
Djokovic has since backtracked and admitted he will give the vaccination a rethink.
“I have expressed my views because I have the right to and I also feel responsible to highlight certain essential topics that are concerning the tennis world,” he clarified.
“I am no expert, but I do want to have an option to choose what’s best for my body.
“I am keeping an open mind, and I’ll continue to research this topic because it is important and it will affect all of us.”
Novak Djokovic reveals the women who inspire him the most
The 2020 season has started a couple of months ago and Novak Djokovic has already struck a streak of 18 straight wins by showing up at Indian Wells as undefeated. The extraordinary start of the Serbian is enhanced by a balance of 7-0 against players in the ATP top 10.
At the 2020 ATP Cup, Djokovic helped Serbia win its first title by scoring six victories including wins over Medvedev in the semifinal and Nadal in the final. At the 2020 Australian Open, he defeated long time rival Roger Federer in straight sets en route to the final where he defeated three-time grand slam runner-up Dominic Thiem in five sets.
This is Djokovic’s 8th win at the Australian Open, making him the first Open Era male player to win Grand Slam titles in three different decades. For his 17th Grand Slam win he received 2.5 Million Euro as prize money.
The World number 1 won the title at Dubai Tennis Championships fifth time, defeating Stefanos Tsitsipas in the final. On the International Women’s Day, Novak highlighted three women, in particular, who have been his greatest support.
“That would be my mother, but also my wife, and my tennis mother who is not with us anymore. Jelena Gencic was truly someone who dedicated so much time and effort into developing me as a tennis player. She put all the essential ingredients into me when I was very young” – Djokovic said.
“My wife, who is the mother of our two children, does a wonderful job being a dedicated mother, an incredibly passionate philanthropist, and the best wife that I can possibly have” – he added.
