Tennis world number one Novak Djokovic has said he is opposed to a vaccination and says it might get in the way of his return to tennis.
In a live Facebook chat on Saturday, alongside many more Serbian athletes, the tennis superstar said: “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."
With Djokovic’s stance currently being anti-vaccination, this may see his career come to a stop.
Although not wanting a vaccination forced on him, Djokovic did go on to say: “If it becomes compulsory, what will happen? I will have to make a decision.”
Djokovic got the 2020 season off to a flyer, winning the Australian Open, but just like every other sport, the tennis calendar came to an abrupt halt.
The Serb was on a winning streak of 18 matches before the pandemic brought all sporting events around the world to a standstill.
Former women’s world number one Amelie Mauresmo took to Twitter last month to explain how she felt about the current situation.
Mauresmo said: “International circuit = players of all nationalities plus management, spectators and people from the 4 corners of the world who bring these events to life. No vaccine = no tennis.”
Most scientists are currently in agreement that a vaccine is still at least a year away, therefore putting the tennis season in danger of being completely wiped out and swept under the rug.
So far, the governing bodies of tennis have suspended all events until July 13. In addition, the women’s Rogers Cup in Montreal will not take place this year.
Djokovic later added to his original statement: “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.”
As one of the best and most decorated tennis players off all time, it is peculiar how the 32-year-old comes across as reluctant to get back to tennis.
Djokovic currently sits third for most Grand Slams won at 17.
He is in elite company, sitting just above Pete Sampras, who has 14, and just below Rafael Nadal, who has 19. The Serbian is three off the leader Roger Federer, who has 20.