Novak Djokovic: Tennis players should not be forced to get Covid vaccine

Australian Open
REUTERS

Novak Djokovic hopes players are not forced to get vaccinated against Covid-19 to compete on the ATP circuit.

The ATP earlier in April players who have been vaccinated would not have to self-isolate in the event of close contact with a positive test result. The governing body of men's tennis also drew up an exemption list for players who have been vaccinated.

Both the ATP and the women's WTA recommended players accept vaccine shots when available.

Djokovic said there were "a lot of options in terms of vaccines" but still a lack of clarity on whether they would be compulsory.

"I don't think it'll come to that. I hope not, because I've always believed in freedom of choice," Djokovic told reporters when asked at the Serbia Open if he had been vaccinated.

"And I will keep the decision as to whether I'm going to get vaccinated or not to myself, it's an intimate decision and I don't want to go into this game of pro and against vaccines, which the media is unfortunately creating these days.

"I don't want to be labelled as someone who is against or who is for vaccines. I'm not going to answer the question... and hope that everyone will respect that."

Djokovic, who tested positive for coronavirus last year, had previously said he was personally opposed to vaccination and would not want to be forced by someone to take a vaccine in order to be able to travel.

Additional reporting by Reuters.

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