Novak Djokovic admits he is ‘closed minded’ on vaccination possibility
Novak Djokovic has risked reopening the row over his vaccination status by saying he has ‘closed his mind’ to the possibility of getting the jab.
Djokovic was deported from Australia earlier this year due to his views on vaccination and was unable to gain entry to America to play the Sunshine Double of Indian Wells and Miami either.
He will also be unable to play the US Open unless the American government rethink their border controls and decide to allow unvaccinated foreigners into the country.
That doesn’t look like happening, and Djokovic certainly doesn’t seem likely to change his mind either.
Asked by the press if he had ‘completely closed his mind’ to getting vaccinated, Djokovic simply replied: “Yes.
“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 [at Wimbledon].
“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 any more. I mean, it’s really up to the US government to make a decision whether or not they allow unvaccinated people to go into the country.”
Novak Djokovic is suffering a rankings drop as a result of his vaccination status. He has already lost 2,000 ranking points from the Australian Open and he will lose another 1,200 from the US Open should he miss the tournament.
He will also drop 2,000 more from Wimbledon as a result of the ATP stripping the event of its ranking points in response to their decision to ban Russian and Belarusian players.
? Free >> Join our legendary newsletter
? Join >> Receive $700/£600 of tennis gear from the Tennishead CLUB
? Social >> Facebook, Twitter, Instagram & YouTube
? Read >> World’s best tennis magazine
? Watch >> How to enjoy ATP/WTA/Slam tennis on TV
? Shop >> Lowest price tennis gear from our trusted partner
