World tennis number one Novak Djokovic was happy to be able to play tennis in the coming days in Dubai, after the fiasco of the Australian Open, a country that expelled him for his refusal to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
“I’m glad to be able to play again on Monday (…). I miss tennis after everything I’ve been through,” the Serbian tennis player told reporters during a visit to his country’s pavilion at the Dubai World Expo.
His rejection of the COVID-19 vaccine meant that he could not participate in the Australian Open in January, the first major tournament of the season, which gave way to a legal soap opera and the final victory of the Spanish Rafael Nadal, a great rival of Djokovic in the fight to be the tennis player with the most Grand Slam in history (the Mallorcan reached the 21st major of his career in Melbourne, for the 20 of Djokovic and Roger Federer).
Later, in his first interview with a Serbian media outlet since the Australian Open, Djokovic assured that what happened gives him “an additional reason to play better than ever,” he told public television in his country (RTS).
Djokovic plans to participate in the Dubai ATP Tournament that will start next Monday in this rich Gulf emirate, in which the COVID-19 vaccine is not mandatory.
In an interview with the British chain BBCthe Serbian was willing to “pay the price” of not being able to play so as not to contravene his convictions against the vaccine.
The prospect of a participation in Roland Garros and Wimbledon seems feasible as France and the United Kingdom are easing health restrictions, but the vaccine is still necessary to participate in the US Open in August.
calendar in the air
There is a lot left for then, but in March two Masters 1000 are planned, the second category of tournaments on the men’s tennis circuit, Indian Wells (from March 7 to 20) and Miami (from March 21 to April 3).
“It will depend on the countries in which the tournaments are played; I will be ready and I want to continue my career”, declared Djokovic to the RTS.
In the interview to BBC Last Tuesday, Djokovic had declared that “the principles that lead to the decision-making about my body are more important than a title whatever it is.”
The world number one reiterated that he does not plan to get vaccinated, although he did not rule out doing so in the future: “I have an open mind… Everything is possible in life, we will see how the situation evolves, but for the moment I have decided not to do it” and lamented “that I relate to certain initiatives” in relation to anti-vaccine movements.
Expelled from Australia, Djokovic made a stopover in Dubai on his way back to his country after failing to convince the Australian justice to accept his appeal against the annulment of his visa decided by the government of that country on the eve of the start of the tournament.
On television in his country, Djokovic thanked the support shown by some tennis players and expressly cited Nick Kyrgios, Alexander Zverev, Daniil Medvedev and the French Alizé Cornet.
This Thursday in Dubai, Djokovic was received with full honors by those responsible for the Serbian pavilion at the Universal Exhibition. The 34-year-old sportsman wrote a solemn message in the golden book.
“Thank you for welcoming me in this way and presenting everything that is good about Serbia; It is an honor to be part of it”, declared Djokovic to those responsible for his country.
The soap opera lived in Australia has damaged Djokovic’s image around the world, but he continues to enjoy great popularity in his country and both the Serbian government and citizens showed signs of supporting the tennis player in his confrontation with the Australian authorities. (D)
Source: Eluniverso
Paul is a talented author and journalist with a passion for entertainment and general news. He currently works as a writer at the 247 News Agency, where he has established herself as a respected voice in the industry.
