Novak Djokovic's one-word response shuts down vaccine speculation
World No.3 Novak Djokovic has bluntly shut down any speculation that he might get vaccinated after answering a reporter's question a day out from Wimbledon.
Djokovic made international headlines earlier this year when he was detained and deported in Melbourne ahead of the Australia Open due to his unvaccinated status.
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The 20-time grand slam champion admitted in an interview he wouldn't get vaccinated in order to play grand slams.
Djokovic has been allowed to play both the French Open and will take part in Wimbledon as the No.1 seed with the countries allowing unvaccinated visitors.
However, doubts still remain over whether Djokovic will play at the US Open with the country currently requiring all visitors to be vaccinated.
Djokovic said a day out from Wimbledon that SW19 will most likely be the last grand slam he plays in 2022.
And Djokovic was pressed on whether he had definitively decided he would not take the Covid-19 vaccine.
The World No.3 was adamant.
"Yes," Djokovic said.
Q. About the US Open, you said there's nothing you can do at this point. But you do still have time to get vaccinated before New York to make it in time for the US. Is that something you've completely closed your mind to as an option going forward, or...
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yes.— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) June 25, 2022
Novak Djokovic addresses US Open ban
Ahead of the question, Djokovic discussed the probability that he wouldn't be playing at the US Open this year.
However, it appears the ban has made his will to win Wimbledon for a fourth consecutive time even greater.
"As of today I'm not allowed to enter the States under these circumstances. I'm aware of that," he told reporters.
"That is an extra motivation to do well here," he told reporters.
"Hopefully I can have a very good tournament, as I have done in the last three editions. Then I'll just have to wait and see. I would love to go to States.
"But as of today, that's not possible."
Djokovic already missed Indian Wells and the Miami Open as a result of the restrictions.
The World No.3 will be eagerly seeking another Wimbledon title in an attempt to close the gap to Rafa Nadal's 22 grand slam record.
No.1 seed Djokovic and No.2 seed Nadal avoided any potential dangerous unseeded tennis stars as Wimbledon following the draw.
The tennis world was waiting to see if either of the icons would draw dangerous unseeded stars such as Aussie Nick Kyrgios or three-time grand slam champion Andy Murray.
However, fortunately for Djokovic and Nadal it did not work out that way.
Top seed and tournament favourite Djokovic drew South Korean Kwon Soon Woo, while Nadal was pitted with 23-year-old Argentinian Francisco Cerundolo in the First Round.
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