Novak Djokovic is currently in his native Serbia enjoying some time off from tennis with his family and in a rare interview with Serbian Blic, he deflected a question about his vaccination status.
The vaccination status of Novak Djokovic has been a very polarizing question in the tennis world ever since vaccination started around the world. Athletes around the world have been at the forefront involved in campaigns in order to encourage people to get vaccinated but Djokovic, who has a complicated history with vaccines, took a more neutral stance on the matter hoping to see it remain a private decision not imposed on the individual.
The ATP allowed its players to choose whether to get vaccinated or not while encouraging vaccination with the easing of certain restrictions not imposed on players who are vaccinated. The
Australian Open went even further imposing a vaccination mandate on players mainly due to Australia's anti-COVID 19 measures which are famously harsh. Djokovic was singled out by Victoria Premier David Andrews who blatantly told him that he be denied entry into the country if he doesn't get vaccinated.
In an recent interview with Serbian newspaper Blic, Djokovic spoke on the matter saying:
"I'm following the situation regarding Australia and to my
understanding, the final decision of the Victoria Government and Tennis
Australia will come within the next two weeks, we are looking at the
first or the second week of November."
He continued:
"I don't think something will
significant will change compared to what we already know. As it was the
case this year, we can expect a lot of restrictions. I have heard from
my manager that Tennis Australia is trying to improve conditions for
everyone -- vaccinated and unvaccinated players."
He then dropped the bombshell news sying:
"I don't know if I will go to Australia, I don't know what's happening. Right now, the situation isn't looking good."
When asked whether he got vaccinated Djokovic deflected the question with "That's a private matter".