Connect with us

Tennis

Novak Djokovic defends anti-vaxxer stance as Andy Roddick questions view

Published

on

Novak Djokovic

Novak Djokovic has defended his highly controversial anti-vaxxer stance but former world No. 1 Andy Roddick questionned whether the current top-ranked tennis player would stick by those beliefs if it meant he would miss out on competing in Grand Slams.

 

 

Djokovic astonishingly said he was ‘opposed’ to ‘being forced’ to receive a coronavirus vaccination on Sunday – something that could see him unable to compete on the ATP Tour in the immediate future.

And he has defended that position, despite coming in for heavy criticism with mass vaccinations considered considered vital to the prevention and eradication of Covid-10.

Novak Djokovic

‘Personally I am opposed to the vaccination against Covid-19 in order to be able to travel. But if it becomes compulsory, I will have to make a decision whether to do it, or not. This is my current feeling, and I don’t know if it will change, but it really influences my profession,’ Djokovic said in a statement.

‘Many tennis players, athletes have reached out to me asking what my opinion is on this whole situation. I have expressed my views because I have the right to and I also feel responsible to highlight certain essential topics that are concerning tennis world.

Novak Djokovic

‘To be honest, just like the rest of the world I am a bit confused. Despite having access to information and resources, I am left in doubt about what could be the best thing to do.

‘My job requires lots of travel, some are saying that for us who travel, we would have to take the vaccine that is yet to be developed. Therefore, I would like to repeat and point out that at this moment we do not have adequate information. We don’t know if there will be new measures, which of them will be taken, will we have a choice to decide on our own what to do or not with the vaccine…

Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray

‘I would like to know more details about the whole process, before making right decisions.

‘I am curious about wellbeing and I am going to spend the whole lifetime learning about body and how we can empower our metabolism to be in best shape to defend against imposters like Covid 19.

‘My fullest respect and gratitude goes to all the noble and compassionate medical people who are giving support to the ones that need it the most.

‘I am no expert, but I do want to have an option to chose what’s best for my body. I am keeping an open mind, and I’ll continue to research on this topic because it is important and it will affect all of us.’

Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic smile

Dr Scott Ratzan, founder of the International Working Group (IWG) on Vaccination and Public Health Solutions outlined why anti-vaxxer views can be so damaging, saying: ‘We need a vaccine.

‘However, the vaccine is only effective in preventing the disease if we have appropriate vaccine uptake,’ says Dr Scott Ratzan, founder of the International Working Group (IWG) on Vaccination and Public Health Solutions.

‘If people do not take the vaccine and we do not have exposure to a level that would have overall community ‘immunity’ we could have a resurgence in cases of Covid-19 or the next coronavirus.’

Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic smile

Should Djokovic refuse to get vaccinated, he could run the risk of falling further behind to great rivals Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal in the all-time Grand Slam charts, with the French Open and US Open still, for the time being, scheduled to take place in 2020.

It’s a near-certainty that players will need to be vaccinated in order to compete on the tour this season and former US Open champion Roddick is not sure whether the 17-time major winner will stick by his beliefs if it involves skipping Grand Slams.

‘I don’t have to agree with someone’s belief system to respect the fact that they have it,’ he told Tennis Channel.

Roger federer and Andy Roddick

‘The bottom line is not whether or not he believes in vaccinations, it’s what safest to bring tennis back to the forefront on a global stage. And that is going to be with testing that’s going to be with vaccination that’s going to let us get back to what we know as normal.

‘So, again Novak said this himself. I don’t have to agree with his stance. He knows that he’s going to have a decision to make.

‘I’ll be curious to see how deep his belief system runs if he’s gonna to sit out Grand Slams because he doesn’t want to take a vaccination shot.’

Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal

Djokovic’s wife Jelena has also had hugely controversial views brought to light.

A post promoting a wild 5G conspiracy theory – a theory that was said to have ‘no scientific basis or credible evidence’ by Ofcom – was taken down by Instagram, with independent fact-checkers saying claims provided were ‘false’ and ‘factually inaccurate’.

Advertisement

Recent Posts

Serena Williams dazzles on party Serena Williams dazzles on party
News2 months ago

Look at Six Serena Williams’s private photos that dazzled everyone…. looking provoking

  Serena Williams made one of the most common fashion blunders last night when she flashed her underwear when climbing...

Serena Williams walks red carpet at King Richard Premiere Serena Williams walks red carpet at King Richard Premiere
Celebrity2 months ago

For The Sake Of Sex: Serena Williams drops panties and gets people talking…

  Let’s talk about sex: More specifically Serena Williams’ sex life. The video below is Serena Williams wearing a butt-bearing...

Serena Williams who have dated her Serena Williams who have dated her
News2 months ago

Serena Williams: 14 eye-popping killer body pictures you can’t stop looking at

  Serena Williams looks incredible in a colourful swimsuit as she jumps into the water and cosies up to husband...

Serena Williams shows off her butt in a new Bikini photo Serena Williams shows off her butt in a new Bikini photo
Celebrity2 months ago

12 Serena Williams’ incredible powerhouse swimsuit pictures you can’t stop looking at

  Serena Williams looks incredible in a colourful swimsuit as she jumps into the water and cosies up to husband...

Venus Williams is pictured at wedding Venus Williams is pictured at wedding
Celebrity2 months ago

Venus Williams || Six private photos that dazzled everyone and got fans talking

  As for her biggest role models, Serena Williams says she really doesn’t have to look beyond her own mother...

Serena Williams Shreds Tennis Star Surfing Serena Williams Shreds Tennis Star Surfing
News2 months ago

Serena Williams posts Six private photos: Everyone is talking about

  Serena Williams is one of the top athletes in the world. But the Los Angeles native still likes to...

Serena Williams Soaks Up the Sun in Croatia photo Serena Williams Soaks Up the Sun in Croatia photo
News2 months ago

Serena Williams posts 8 provoking bikini pictures and got fans talking

  The 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams looks fine, sweet and sexy once she wore a bikini on holidays...

Serena Williams’ overwhelming photos everyone talks about Serena Williams’ overwhelming photos everyone talks about
Celebrity2 months ago

17 overwhelming pictures Of Serena Williams we can’t stop looking at…

  Tennis legend Serena Williams is rewarding herself with some fun in the sun following an extremely action-packed schedules in...

Venus Williams wedding pics, Venus Williams wedding pics,
News2 months ago

In Photos: Tennis Superstar Venus Williams tie Knot with Boyfriend

  Legendary athlete Venus Williams is commonly regarded as one of the best tennis players of all time. And while...

Rapper Sean Kingston talks tennis star Serena Williams Rapper Sean Kingston talks tennis star Serena Williams
News2 months ago

“Serena Williams and I had several Exhausting Marathon S*x and I still miss her s*x… “She just knows how to do it very well,” — Sean Kingston opens up

  Sean Kingston has finally revealed the truth about what really happened between him and Serena Williams having Exhausting Marathon...

Advertisement

Copyright © 2017