World #1 Novak Djokovic opposed to mandatory tennis vaccine

As the coronavirus keeps the tennis world shut down, many people have discussed what the best plan would be moving forward for the end of the 2020 season and beyond. World #1 Novak Djokovic has expressed his concerns regarding the topic of whether or not tennis players should be vaccinated before resuming tournament play.

"“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,” Djokovic said in a live Facebook chat on April 19th. “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.”"

It has been commonly discussed through the tennis community regarding mandatory vaccinations. Given the international events and players from all corners of the globe, a mandatory virus will likely be put in place. However, researchers suggest the vaccine won’t be ready until next year at the earliest.

Former French player Amelie Mauresmo tweeted last month about this and voiced her support for the vaccine and it’s importance in tennis moving forward.

“I think we’re going to have to draw a line under the 2020 tennis season. International circuit = players of all nationalities plus management, spectators and people from the 4 corners of the world who bring these events to life. No vaccine = no tennis,” Mauresmo said.

With that in mind, it’s likely that, at the rate that the vaccine is being produced, that the 2020 season will ultimately be canceled altogether, just as Mauresmo said. Without a vaccine, international play is simply too dangerous to resume, especially considering the mass amounts of fans that attend these events.

There is still a good amount of time before the vaccine is cleared for use, but players like Djokovic who oppose the mandatory practice have to think about the bigger picture.

"“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,” Djokovic said."