“I want to be in America and everywhere I can possibly play.” – Djokovic

Current entry rules in the United States prohibit an unvaccinated person to enter the country while Djokovic faces a three-year ban in Australia

Novak Djokovic performs during the opening of a regional tennis centre in Visoko, Bosnia and Herzegovina Image Credit: AI / Reuters / Panoramic

Haresh Ramchandani

July 14, 2022

Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic reiterated his desire to play the upcoming U.S. Open and Australian Open but stuck to his stance of not getting vaccinated as he spoke to reporters in the Bosnian town of Visoko on Wednesday.

Djokovic captured his seventh Wimbledon and 21st Grand Slam singles title on Sunday, beating Australia’s Nick Kyrgios in four sets.

While that moved the Serb within one of Rafael Nadal‘s record hall of 22 Majors, Djokovic is unsure if he will be able to play the next two Majors. He is not permitted to enter the United States as per current entry rules as he remains unvaccinated. The Serb is also in the midst of a three-year ban imposed by Australian after he was deported out of the country in January, which forced him to miss the Australian Open.

Speaking at the opening a tennis complex in Visoko, the Serb said, “I’m not going to go to America if I don’t have permission, so the Australian saga for me was not pleasant at all.” as quoted by Reuters.

“People still think I forced my way to Australia and tried to come in with no paper, permission or exemption – it is not true. That was proven on the court case, so I would never go into a country where I didn’t have permission to travel. I would love to come back to Australia. I love Australia, I had my best Grand Slam results in that country.

Novak Djokovic 2022 Wimbledon — Serbia’s Novak Djokovic celebrates winning the second set during the men’s singles final against Australia’s Nick Kyrgios || AI / Reuters / Panoramic

If I have permission, I’ll be there. If I don’t, I won’t be there – it’s not the end of the world
Djokovic

Djokovic went on to add that he hoped people would respect his choice not to get unvaccinated, even if they did not understand it.

“Hopefully I can be there in January because I want to be there, and I also want to be in New York. I want to be in America and everywhere I can possibly play. I am a professional tennis player, I don’t go into politics or anything else because that doesn’t interest me. I have my stance and I am a proponent for freedom to choose what is best for you. I respect everything and everybody, and I expect people to at least respect my decision. If I have permission, I’ll be there. If I don’t, I won’t be there – it’s not the end of the world.”