Tennis star Novak Djokovic has said he has no regrets about missing tournaments at indian goods and Miami due to his COVID-19 vaccination status.
Djokovic, 35, unsuccessfully applied to the US government for special permission to play in Indian Wells and Miami.
The United States currently bars unvaccinated foreigners from entering the country, although the policy is expected to be lifted when the government ends its COVID emergency declarations in May.
“I have no regrets,” Djokovic told CNN. “I’ve learned throughout life that regrets only hold you back and make you live in the past. I don’t want to do that. I don’t want to live in the future too much either. I want to be as as much as in the present moment, but of course think ahead, create a better future.”
Carlos Alcaraz took the Serb back to the top spot in the world rankings after winning the title from Indian Wells on Sunday.
“..I congratulate Alcaraz. He absolutely deserves to return to number one,” Djokovic said.
Djokovic said it was a shame he wasn’t allowed to compete in the United States where he had many successes, including three of his 22 major titles. He hoped he would be allowed to enter the United States later this year for the US Open Grand Slam.
“But at the same time, it was the conscious decision I made and I knew there was always a possibility that I wouldn’t go,” Djokovic said.
“It’s the current state or the current situation that I hope will change later this year, for the US Open. It’s the most important tournament for me on American soil.”
The Serb says the controversy hasn’t dampened his enthusiasm for the sport.
“In fact, on the contrary, I’m more enthusiastic than ever, more motivated than ever for the sport, my family, my foundation, all the projects and everything I do off the pitch,” he said.
“Dignity and integrity, and staying true to myself, and my beliefs and rights are above all else.”
(With contributions from Reuters)
Djokovic, 35, unsuccessfully applied to the US government for special permission to play in Indian Wells and Miami.
The United States currently bars unvaccinated foreigners from entering the country, although the policy is expected to be lifted when the government ends its COVID emergency declarations in May.
“I have no regrets,” Djokovic told CNN. “I’ve learned throughout life that regrets only hold you back and make you live in the past. I don’t want to do that. I don’t want to live in the future too much either. I want to be as as much as in the present moment, but of course think ahead, create a better future.”
Carlos Alcaraz took the Serb back to the top spot in the world rankings after winning the title from Indian Wells on Sunday.
“..I congratulate Alcaraz. He absolutely deserves to return to number one,” Djokovic said.
Djokovic said it was a shame he wasn’t allowed to compete in the United States where he had many successes, including three of his 22 major titles. He hoped he would be allowed to enter the United States later this year for the US Open Grand Slam.
“But at the same time, it was the conscious decision I made and I knew there was always a possibility that I wouldn’t go,” Djokovic said.
“It’s the current state or the current situation that I hope will change later this year, for the US Open. It’s the most important tournament for me on American soil.”
The Serb says the controversy hasn’t dampened his enthusiasm for the sport.
“In fact, on the contrary, I’m more enthusiastic than ever, more motivated than ever for the sport, my family, my foundation, all the projects and everything I do off the pitch,” he said.
“Dignity and integrity, and staying true to myself, and my beliefs and rights are above all else.”
(With contributions from Reuters)
