Novak Djokovic opposes compulsory coronavirus vaccinations for tennis players

Serbia's Novak Djokovic returns the ball to Gael Monfils of France during a semi final match of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship in Dubai. Photo / AP

Novak Djokovic is against any compulsory vaccinations for tennis players returning to the game after the coronavirus hiatus, and faces a dilemma if forced to do so himself.

"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," the world No. 1 said in a live Facebook chat with several fellow Serbian athletes.

"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.

"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."

If Novak Djokovic's public image were the stock market, the last couple days would have set records in either direction.

— Jonathan Newman (@Tennis_Jon) April 20, 2020

Last month, former women's world No.1 Amelie Mauresmo said the rest of the 2020 tennis season might be wiped out, saying action should not resume before players can get vaccinated against the novel coronavirus.

"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," the two-time Grand Slam winner said in a widely shared tweet.

Medical experts have said vaccines against the respiratory virus would not be ready until next year, raising doubts whether any further tennis tournaments can be contested this year.

Djokovic's statement however against compulsory vaccinations caught the eye of several journalists with his stance not sitting well.

"I had not previously known that Novak Djokovic was anti-vaccination. Hmm," New York Times writer Ben Rothenberg said on Twitter.

Laura Wagner sarcastically wrote: "Djokovic is an anti-vaxxer cool cool cool."

This year's Wimbledon championship was cancelled for the first time since World War II while the French Open, originally due to be held from May 24-June 7, was rescheduled for September 20-October 4, shortly after the end of the US Open.

Djokovic made a flying start to the 2020 season, winning the Australian Open in January for his 17th grand slam title and stretched his winning run to 18 matches before the pandemic brought sports events across the world to a halt.

So far the governing bodies of tennis have suspended all tournaments until July 13.

In addition, the women's Rogers Cup in Montreal that was due to be held in August will also not take place this year.