"Djokovic's decision terrible for tennis" says tennis legend Pam Shriver

Novak Djokovic announced his intention not to get vaccinated as the pandemic continues to be a challenge for many aspects of daily human life.

The Serbian spoke about the Australian Open fiasco in a BBC interview admitting his disappointment in the way it all happened. He also underlined that he was not against vaccines and is not encouraging people not to get vaccinated but simply fighting for the right of every individual to have a free choice. Djokovic opposes vaccine mandates at events and he is willing to endure the consequences if mandates remain in place.

Pam Shriver was very dissapointed by Djokovic's decision and stance saying:

"It’s terrible for tennis, not good for him – and, really, he does lead by example. The fact that he doesn’t trust it, it does lead a lot of people, in his home country and throughout the world.”

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In practical terms, it means that Djokovic will miss the Indian Wells and Miami Masters as unvaccinated individuals are not permitted to enter the US. He might also miss the French Open in May and Wimbledon later this year if the current mandates remain in place. Shriver added:

“Obviously he is standing really strong to his principles that anything he puts into his body might hurt his body and not make it at an optimum way for one of the greatest athletes this planet has seen over the last 15 years. It was good to hear his rationale in some ways, but in some ways it raises more questions. The biggest question I would have is: will he truly have an open mind to get vaccinated at a later date, if the evidence becomes clear to him that it really is a safe vaccine?”