In Dubai, Djokovic is “glad” to be able to play tennis without a vaccine

First modification: 17/02/2022 – 19:54Last modification: 17/02/2022 – 19:53

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Dubái (AFP) – World tennis number 1 Novak Djokovic was happy to be able to play tennis in the coming days in Dubai, after the fiasco of the Australian Open, a country that expelled him for his refusal to be vaccinated against covid-19.

“I’m glad I can play again on Monday (…) I miss tennis after everything I’ve been through,” the Serbian tennis player told the press during a visit to his country’s pavilion at the Dubai World Expo. .

His rejection of the covid vaccine meant that he could not participate in the Australian Open in January, the first major tournament of the season, which gave way to a legal soap opera and the final victory of the Spanish Rafael Nadal, Djokovic’s great rival in the He is fighting to be the tennis player with the most Grand Slam in history (the Mallorcan reached the 21st Grand Slam of his career in Melbourne, for the 20 of Djokovic and Roger Federer).

Djokovic plans to participate in the Dubai ATP Tournament that will start next Monday in this rich Gulf emirate, in which the covid vaccine is not mandatory.

In an interview with the British network BBC, the Serbian was willing to “pay the price” of not being able to play so as not to contravene his convictions against the vaccine.

The prospect of a participation in Roland-Garros and Wimbledon seems feasible as France and the United Kingdom are easing health restrictions, but the vaccine is still necessary to participate in the US Open in August.

calendar in the air

There is a lot left for then, but in March two Masters 1000 are planned, the second category of tournaments on the men’s tennis circuit, Indian Wells (from March 7 to 20) and Miami (from March 21 to April 3).

“The principles that lead to the decision about my body are more important than a title whatever,” he told the BBC last Tuesday.

Expelled from Australia, Djokovic made a stopover in Dubai on his way back to his country after failing to convince the Australian justice to accept his appeal against the annulment of his visa decided by the government of that country on the eve of the start of the tournament.

This Thursday in Dubai, Djokovic was received with full honors by those responsible for the Serbian pavilion at the Universal Exhibition. The 34-year-old sportsman wrote a solemn message in the golden book.