Andy Murray has told Novak Djokovic he must accept the consequences of his decision to remain unvaccinated.
Djokovic was at the centre of a Covid storm in Australia last month, which ultimately ended with him being deported on the eve of the opening round of the first Grand Slam of the year.
The world No 1 arrived in Melbourne believing the medical exemptions granted to him by the Victorian government and Tennis Australia would be enough for him to participate in the Australian Open, but the federal government had other ideas, and he was deported after a legal wrangle which resulted in his visa being cancelled for a second and final time.
Murray believes Djokovic should get the vaccine but told reporters at the ATP 500 event in Dubai that he is competing in this week that the Serb's absence from major events damages the sport.
“I’ve not seen him here (in Dubai)," Murray said. "We exchanged a few messages while he was in Australia. I don’t agree with his decision. It would be a lot easier for him if he were to get vaccinated.
“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.
“There are consequences to the decisions he’s made just now. 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.
“It would be better for tennis if he were playing all of the major events.”
Djokovic is also in Dubai this week and made a winning return to the court, beating Lorenzo Musetti in straight sets in his first competitive appearance in three months, but there remains a cloud over his participation in a number of large events that are to come this year.
Djokovic's name is on the entry list for Indian Wells in March, but confirmed he would not be able to travel to America to compete either there, or in Miami later in the month, if regulations in the States remain as they currently are.
“As of today, (no). I can't go – can't enter United States," Djokovic said. "As of today I'm not able to play. But let's see what happens. I mean, maybe things change in the next few weeks.”
The events in Indian Wells and Miami are among the biggest on the ATP Tour, and Djokovic also recently confirmed he is willing to miss further Grand Slams, so strong is belief in the right to free will.
"That is the price that I’m willing to pay," he told the BBC earlier this month. “The principles of decision-making on my body are more important than any title or anything else."
Tim Henman, who is on the Wimbledon committee, suggested that Djokovic will be permitted to compete at Wimbledon in the summer regardless of his vaccination status.
