The world No. 1 has decided he will stop playing the first two of each year’s Grand Slams (the Australian Open and French Open) to make room for more preparation time in a bid to be ready for Wimbledon, which is played on grass courts.
The Serbian superstar said that his new approach would allow him “more chances” at winning Wimbledon title than previously.,
Djokovic also explained that it was not an easy decision either financially or personally but eventually opted out because he felt this revised plan would have given him a better chance at achieving what many consider one of tennis’ most prestigious titles.
Novak Djokovic, the world’s number one tennis player, has announced that he will be opting out of future Grand Slams. The Serbian player says that his decision is due to his ongoing health issues.
Novak Djokovic repeated his position on not being vaccinated against COVID-19 in his first interview since being banned from Australia last month, saying he would opt out of future majors that would compel him to get immunized.
“Yes, that is the price I’m ready to pay,” Djokovic said in an interview with the in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
After gaining a medical exemption to compete in the Australian Open and then having his visa canceled by the Australian government, Djokovic, the world’s No. 1 player, was at the center of a worldwide media firestorm and an international court struggle in January. He was eventually compelled to flee the country and was unable to defend his championship in the first Grand Slam of the year.
Djokovic, 34, told the that he isn’t opposed to vaccines — “I have never declared that I am part of that movement,” he added — but that he believes in personal choice. That, he claims, is more essential than capturing his 21st major title.
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Djokovic said, “Because the principles of decision-making on my body are more essential than any championship or anything else.”
“I’m trying to be as in touch with my body as possible,” he added, adding that he has always been cautious about what he consumes. “I’ve opted not to take the vaccination as of today, based on all of the information I’ve received.”
In Djokovic’s absence, Rafael Nadal won the Australian Open, breaking his tie with Djokovic and Roger Federer for the most major championships by a male player.
Djokovic claimed to have contracted the illness in December in his medical exemption paperwork, but the timing of his ailment aroused doubts. In the interview, he addressed the uncertainties about his assertions.
“I realize there is a lot of criticism, and I understand that people have various views about how fortunate I was or how easy it is,” Djokovic said. “However, no one is fortunate enough to be infected with COVID. COVID has afflicted millions of individuals all across the globe, and it continues to do so. As a result, I’m taking this extremely seriously. I don’t like it when people believe I’ve abused something or exploited it to my advantage in order to, you know, obtain a positive PCR test and go to Australia.”
Djokovic expressed his dissatisfaction with the way his stint in Melbourne ended, saying he was “very unhappy and disappointed.”
In March, he will compete at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California.
The condition of Djokovic for the French Open, which starts on May 22, is still unknown. In the months leading up to Roland Garros, vaccination laws in France may change, enabling him to compete. As it recovers from a record increase in illnesses fuelled by the extremely infectious omicron strain, the government has begun to relax some of its health and travel restrictions.
Last week, the French government set a deadline of the end of March/beginning of April for the potential relaxation of the vaccination restriction, which now prevents unvaccinated players from competing in the French Open.
Anyone who has not been vaccinated against the coronavirus must provide documentation of a positive COVID-19 test within the past four months (down from the previous six months) in order to attend sporting arenas in France starting Tuesday. The French rule, which assumes that if you’ve recently had the virus, you have some immunity, attempts to keep unvaccinated people out of stadiums, restaurants, pubs, and other public venues.
Djokovic had said that he tested positive for doping in the middle of December. If the four-month restriction remains in place, he will almost certainly be unable to compete in the French Open unless he is vaccinated or tests positive once again.
Djokovic is also the reigning Wimbledon champion, which starts in late June. However, England has so far granted visiting athletes exemptions from different coronavirus laws provided they stay at their lodgings while not participating or practicing.
The US Tennis Association, which organizes the US Open, has said that it would adhere to federal immunization requirements.
This story contains information from The Associated Press.
Novak Djokovic says he will opt out of future Grand Slams with COVID. This comes after the tennis player’s wife revealed that she is expecting their second child. Reference: novak djokovic wife.
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