ANDY MURRAY says Novak Djokovic’s absence from Grand Slams can only be bad for tennis – but that the Serb has to accept the ‘consequences’ of his anti-vaccine stance.
Djok’s participation in the sport’s biggest events remains in doubt after he was kicked out of Australia – and therefore the Australian Open – for his failure to adhere to the country’s mandatory Covid vaccination rules.
A month after after it all cut up rough Down Under, Djok was back in competitive tennis action again on Monday with a 6-3 6-3 win over Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti at the Dubai Tennis Championships.
The world No 1, who revealed he was welcomed back by most players, will face Russia’s Karen Khachanov in the last 16.
But warm welcome in the Middle East or not, he will not be able to enter two more significant tournaments in America next month.
The 20-time Grand Slam also recently admitted he would be willing to miss the French Open and Wimbledon if either required mandatory vaccination for entry.
And British star Murray, who progressed in Dubai with a gutsy three-set comeback victory over qualifier Christopher O’Connell, says that is a shame.
The Scot said: “I don’t agree with his decision. I think it would be a lot easier for him obviously if he was to get vaccinated.
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“But I also didn’t like seeing him in the situation that he was in Australia as someone that I respect, have known since I was a child. I didn’t like seeing that.
“There are consequences to the decisions he’s made. He obviously has to accept that.
“But I don’t think it’s great for tennis if our best player is not competing in the major events.”
