“Everybody’s free to do whatever they want”- Felix-Auger Aliassime defends Novak Djokovic’s stance on vaccination


“Everybody’s free to do whatever they want”- Felix-Auger Aliassime defends Novak Djokovic’s stance on vaccination

Felix Auger-Aliassime and Novak Djokovic

Canadian youngster, Felix Auger-Aliassime expressed his opinions about Novak Djokovic‘s return to tennis courts. After missing the entire Australian hardcourt swing due to his stern stance of not getting a Covid jab, Djokovic finally made his long-awaited return at the Dubai Tennis Championships.

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“I do think it’s good for the sport at the end of the day. I mean, he’s a great player to watch. And as long as he’s playing, it’s good for a sport that he steps on the court and competes with all of us. That is good for the sport,” he said in an interview with Eurosport.

Djokovic’s return ended with a shock loss to qualifier Jiri Vesely in the quarter-finals and with this, he lost his reign at the top of the standings and will cede his No.1 ranking to Daniil Medvedev. As for Auger-Aliassime, he had to withdraw from the tournament due to a back injury.

I think he really accepts what comes with it“- Auger-Aliassime opines about Djokovic’s decision to not get a jab

Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic

Auger- Aliassime also spoke about Djokovic‘s stern stance on not being vaccinated. The Canadian said it was ultimately up to the individual themself to take a decision and also said Djokovic already gave his reasoning behind his decision and is ready to accept the consequences of it.

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“As for the vaccination, I think he really explained it well. At the end he is not the only one, everybody’s free to do whatever they want and we need to respect that; we for sure know people either in our family sometimes or in our group of friends or circle that are not, they don’t want to get the vaccine. But I think he really accepts what comes with it and I think that’s correct. You have to be free in the world to do what you want and accept what comes with it. And for me, that’s totally fine,” he further added.

Auger-Aliassime was initially scheduled to play at the Dubai Tennis Championships but had to withdraw with a back injury. Now the Canadian will be aiming to recover in time for the first Master 1000 tournament of the year, the Indian Wells, which begins on March 8th.

Also read: “I have to play at my highest level”- Rafael Nadal wary of his semifinal clash against new World No.1 Daniil Medvedev