Tennis superstar Novak Djokovic says he's in no rush to get back onto the court if it means being vaccinated against the coronavirus.
Appearing on a Facebook Live chat with other Serbian athletes on Sunday, Djokovic reportedly revealed he is not a fan of vaccines and is uncertain whether he would return to tennis immediately when it resumes if it meant having to get one.
"Personally, I am opposed to vaccination," Djokovic said, according to ESPN, "and I wouldn't want to be forced by someone to take a vaccine in order to be able to travel."
Djokovic didn't explain his aversion to vaccines but said he is preparing for the possibility of being confronted with a tough choice.
"But if it becomes compulsory, what will happen? I will have to make a decision. I have my own thoughts about the matter, and whether those thoughts will change at some point, I don't know.
"Hypothetically, if the season was to resume in July, August or September -- though unlikely -- I understand that a vaccine will become a requirement straight after we are out of strict quarantine, and there is no vaccine yet."
Vaccines have been discussed frequently throughout the coronavirus crisis. While development was said to be underway, it was unclear how effective they would be, and how long it would take to reach market. Some estimates put it as long as several years.
Djokovic's apparent anti-vaccine stance is troubling enough from a public health perspective, bit it also portends what could become yet another point of debate in the discussion of how to best handle an eventual return of sports.
The 17-time Grand Slam winner won the first Slam of 2020, the Australian Open, before the tour season was halted by the crisis in March. The French Open was postponed until the fall, while Wimbledon was canceled.