Novak Djokovic has warned tennis’ rule makers that he will oppose any compulsory vaccination against the coronavirus in order to be able to return to professional tennis.
Former world No1 Amelie Mauresmo had suggested that tennis could only get under way if players were vaccinated against Covid-19, saying “no vaccine = no tennis”.
But 17-time Grand Slam winner Djokovic said he would object to such a proposal in order to be able to play again competitively in 2020.
He said: “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.
“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."
Djokovic won the opening Grand Slam of the season at the Australian Open but Wimbledon has been cancelled, the French Open has been shifted to September and there are fresh doubts over the US Open beginning at the end of August in New York, which has seen some of the highest numbers of cases of Covid-19 in the world.
Meanwhile, Djokovic has been putting together a proposal along with Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal to help out lower-ranked players on tour struggling financially.
Speaking during an Instagram Live with Stan Wawrinka, the Serbian said: “I spoke to Roger and Rafa a few days ago and we had a conversation about the near future of tennis. A majority of players ranked between 250 and 700 or 1,000 don’t have federation support or sponsors and are independent and left alone.”
Djokovic is hoping for players in the top 100 in the world to contribute to fund, which he hopes will raise between £2.4 and £3.6million.
