Novak Djokovic has NO regrets over Covid-19 vaccination status

03/22/2023

Novak Djokovic insists he has ‘NO regrets’ over his continued refusal to be vaccinated against Covid, after being denied entry to Indian Wells and Miami… but Serbian star hopes entry rules are relaxed for the US Open

United States currently bars unvaccinated foreigners from entry into country
Novak Djokovic has long refused to take a vaccination – and is missing events
He has described August’s US Open as the ‘most important’ tournament for him

Novak Djokovic said he had no regrets about missing tournaments at Indian Wells and Miami due to his Covid-19 vaccination status but hoped that he would be allowed into the United States later this year for the US Open.

The United States currently bars unvaccinated foreigners from entering the country, though the policy is expected to be lifted when the government ends its Covid emergency declarations in May.

Djokovic, 35, unsuccessfully applied to the US government for special permission to play at Indian Wells and Miami.

Carlos Alcaraz leapfrogged the Serb back into top spot in the world rankings after winning the Indian Wells title on Sunday.

‘I have no regrets,’ Djokovic told CNN. ‘I’ve learned through 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 don’t want to do that. I also don’t want to live too much in the future. I want to be as much as in the present moment but of course think about future, create a better future.

‘So I congratulate Alcaraz. He absolutely deserves to come back to No 1.’

Djokovic said it was a pity he was not allowed to compete in the US, where he has enjoyed plenty of success including three of his 22 major titles.

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‘But at the same time, it’s the conscious decision I made and I knew that there is always a possibility that I won’t go,’ Djokovic said.

‘It’s the current state or current situation that I hope will change for later this year, for the US Open. That’s the most important tournament for me on American soil.’

The Serb said the controversy had not dented his enthusiasm for the sport.

‘Actually, the contrary, I’m as enthusiastic as ever, as motivated as ever for the sport, my family, my foundation, all the projects and everything I’m doing off the court,’ he said.

‘The dignity, and integrity, and staying true to myself, and my beliefs and my rights are above everything.’

Djokovic won his record-tying 22nd Grand Slam at the Australian Open back in January

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