NOVAK DJOKOVIC’s return to the tennis circuit would be jeopardised if stars are required to take a compulsory vaccination.
The world No1 is with his family in Spain, waiting to resume professional combat again with the tennis season temporarily suspended until mid-July.
Tennis is a truly global sport with players flying to tournaments every week and some countries may insist on mandatory inoculation against Covid-19.
If that is the case, then the Serb would face a dilemma – and he may have to withdraw from events.
Djokovic, 32, 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.”
Medical experts believe vaccines against the novel coronavirus might not be ready until 2021.
Amelie Mauresmo, the former world No1 and 2006 Wimbledon champion, is among the sports stars who fear the rest of the 2020 campaign will be wiped.
Last month the Frenchwoman, a former coach to Andy Murray, said the action should not resume before players can get vaccinated.
Wimbledon has been cancelled this year – the first time in 75 years – and the US Open is also in doubt.
