Djokovic explains vaccine stance; wants solidarity in relief donations

Reporting from Matt Fitzgerald and Kamakshi Tandon.

This past Sunday, Novak Djokovic spoke openly about his concerns of potentially being mandated into taking a COVID-19 vaccination before returning to the ATP tour. The stance, which was expressed in Serbian with fellow athletes during a Facebook Live chat, quickly blew up.

Many questioned whether he was anti-vaccination. Some wondered if his quotes, which were translated and published first by Reuters, had been misinterpreted or lost in translation. Tennys Sandgren jokingly tweeted that Djokovic should release his entire medical history and bank account numbers after watching his colleague's comments catch fire.

On Tuesday, the world No. 1 provided a statement to the Associated Press to further explain his position, and why he felt compelled to share it.

"I have expressed my views because I have the right to and I also feel responsible to highlight certain essential topics that are concerning the tennis world," the 32-year-old said. "I am no expert, but I do want to have an option to choose what's best for my body. I am keeping an open mind, and I'll continue to research this topic because it is important, and it will affect all of us."

A believer of “self-healing mechanisms,” along with wife Jelena, Djokovic avoided going under the knife for more than a decade on tour until early 2018. Following his round-of-16 exit to Hyeon Chung at the Australian Open, he opted to undergo surgery on his right elbow. Djokovic stormed back to win Wimbledon and US Open in a remarkable return to No. 1, but his renewed form required overcoming the guilt of his surgery. He ultimately had the procedure to avoid sitting out for an extended period, but struggled to keep his emotions in check for the next few months, dropping outside of the Top 20 heading into that year's Roland Garros.

"I just cried for two or three days. I cried after I had the surgery on my elbow. Every time I thought about what I did, I felt like I had failed myself,” he told *The Telegraph* that November. "At the time, I was filled with mixed emotions. I was doubting. I was also being a bit afraid of whether I am going to recover at the fullest. Because you never know how your body will react to very aggressive medical treatment.”

Djokovic finished the year 53-13 and has added three more majors to bring his career tally to 17, three behind Roger Federer's record mark of 20. The Belgrade native opened the 2020 season at 18-0 before the coronavirus pandemic suspended play on March 9.

As ATP Player council president, Djokovic is calling on fellow players to donate to the sport's lower ranks and show solidarity during the coronavirus pandemic.

The Serb sent a letter to ATP players this week with a plan developed by him, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal for a Player Relief Fund that asked for donations between $30,000 and $5,000 from Top 100 players based on their ranking. Together, with contributions from the ATP and the Grand Slams, the goal was to provide $10,000 each for players between 250 and 700 in the rankings.

The letter said the ATP wanted to provide funds to players between 150 and 500 in the rankings.

Since then, the ATP and WTA tours, the ITF and the Grand Slams have announced that they will provide $6 million for lower-ranked players, saying details will be released.

But player contributions will be voluntary and on top of that, said Djokovic, suggesting that there has been a mixed reaction to the initiative.

"I actually received a lot of positive messages from the players that are lower-ranked. But obviously this is not only my initiative," Djokovic told fellow player Fabio Fognini on a social-media broadcast.

"The ATP has created a Player Relief Fund that is going to receive donations from various different sides. Obviously the ATP... will contribute an amount that is a significant amount. And then players, individually can help as much as they want [with donations].

"I did talk with Roger and Rafa and we did try to propose a financial model, but it's difficult to pressure players into giving money, whatever their ranking is. So I understand there are differences in opinion."

John Isner on the Player Relief Fund:

Still, the 32-year-old encouraged top players to contribute as a way to both to show recognition of the problems lower-ranked players are having, and to keep them in the game.

There have been no professional events for a month and a half, and delays in the schedule appear likely to extend further.

While he and other top players can afford an extended hiatus, added Djokovic, some are not completely aware of the effects on lower-ranked players.

"There are a lot of players at the Futures level and Challenger level," he said. "Many of the guys that have contacted my brother, and some other friends I have, have said they strongly consider [whether] to stop playing tennis. So this is a significant issue for our sport.

"I feel the players should show the solidarity and show the unity in this moment, that we don't forget about them."

Djokovic also suggested that there could be alternative forms of competition before the tours start up again, though they will not offer ranking points. The ATP and WTA tours have suspended their rankings.

"I think there will be more regional prize money tournaments. Points probably not at the moment," he said.