Novak Djokovic has NO regrets over Covid-19 vaccination status
Novak Djokovic insists he ‘does NOT regret’ his continued refusal to get a Covid shot, after being denied entry to Indian Wells and Miami… but the Serbian star hopes entry rules will be relaxed for the US open
- The United States currently prohibits unvaccinated foreigners from entering the country
- Novak Djokovic has long refused to get vaccinated, and is missing out on events
- He has described the US Open in August as the “biggest” tournament for him.
Novak Djokovic said he does not regret missing the tournaments in Indian Wells and Miami due to his covid-19 vaccination status, but hoped he would be allowed into the United States later this year for the US Open.
The United States currently bans unvaccinated foreigners from entering the country, though the policy is expected to be lifted when the government finalizes its Covid emergency declarations in May.
Djokovic, 35, unsuccessfully applied to the US government for special permission to play in Indian Wells and Miami.
Carlos Alcaraz moved the Serb back to the top of the world rankings after winning the Indian Wells title on Sunday.
“I don’t regret it,” Djokovic said. CNN. “I have learned throughout life that regrets only hold you back and basically make you live in the past.
Novak Djokovic has no qualms about the ramifications of not being vaccinated against Covid
‘I do not want to do that. I also don’t want to live too long in the future. I want to be as much as I am at the present moment but of course think about the future, create a better future.
So I congratulate Alcaraz. He absolutely deserves to go back to number 1.’
Djokovic said it was a shame he was not allowed to compete in the United States, where he has had a lot of success, including three of his 22 major titles.
“But at the same time, it’s the conscious decision that I made and I knew that there’s always the possibility that I won’t go,” Djokovic said.
‘It’s the current state or the current situation that I hope will change for later this year, for the US Open. That is the most important tournament for me on American soil.
The Serb said the controversy had not dampened his enthusiasm for the sport.
“Actually, on the contrary, I’m as enthusiastic as ever, as motivated as ever about the sport, my family, my foundation, all the projects and everything I’m doing off the pitch,” he said.
“Dignity, integrity and staying true to myself, my beliefs and my rights are above all else.”
Djokovic won his record-tying 22nd Grand Slam at the Australian Open in January.