The Serbian government’s top epidemiologist criticised Novak Djokovic, saying he shouldn’t have made the comments about COVID-19 vaccination as he has a huge following and his comments were "creating misconceptions".
Marian Vajda, former Slovak tennis professional who is the current head coach of Djokovic, says people should be allowed to choose whether or not to have the vaccine.
“I have never ever been vaccinated and I travelled the world, including many countries that are exposed to all sorts of dangerous diseases. I am lucky to have good immunity, thanks to the sport and the discipline. I don’t need a vaccine and this is what Novak is saying,” he told SBS Slovak.
“However, not everyone is so lucky and there are people who may need it. So, the vaccination should be voluntary, not mandatory, especially in professional sport. We should listen to the scientists, but also live life to stay immune.”
Djokovic, during a Facebook group chat with other Serbian athletes last Sunday said that he was opposed to vaccination and wouldn’t want to be forced to take it to be able to travel.
Later in a statement, he said he had expressed his views because he has the right to do so and that he feels responsible to highlight “certain essential topics that are concerning tennis world”.
“To be honest, just like the rest of the world I am a bit confused. Despite having access to information and resources, I am left in doubt about what could be the best thing to do,” he said.
“I would like to know more details about the whole process, before making the right decisions. I am curious about wellbeing and I am going to spend the whole lifetime learning about the body and how we can empower our metabolism to be in the best shape to defend against imposters like Covid 19.”
Djokovic is currently in Spain with his wife Jelena and children Stefan and Tara. Mr Vajda says while the country is in total lockdown, the Serbian star is training at a private gym and a private tennis court.
“We stay in touch and all the coaching staff is doing what we can. We send jokes to each other but also some instructions to Novak, to not lose the muscle power, and maintain his fitness, breathing, ball touch, timing and rhythm etc. Because we don’t know when the tournaments are back, so we don’t need him to practice too much. Once we know the dates, we have a full plan in place for the preparation and to get him fully ready,” he says.
While Mr Vajda says some tennis action may only be possible at the end of the year, he is calling on the world tennis bodies to announce a final decision about the US Open by mid-June.
“I don’t believe US Open will go ahead in September and nobody wants it without the crowd. Everything is complicated because each country has its now own rules, restrictions and entry conditions.”
He praised the top tennis players including Djokovic, Roger Federer and Rafael for their donations to hospitals to fight COVID-19.
The three players also donated money to help the lower ranking players, those between the rankings of 200 and 500.
“But in future ITF, ATP and WTA should create their own pool and own system to help the players in the extreme situation like the current one and maybe pay everyone appearance reward just for the participation, so everyone can come, and possibly even afford a team or at least a coach,” Mr Vajda explains.
Mr Vajda has been with Djokovic almost his entire professional career, winning 77 titles together out of his total 78. He is often credited for Djokovic's return to the pinnacle of professional tennis after his surgery in February 2018.
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