ジョコビッチ「それが現実」 ワクチン未接種で米２大会断念へ

【アデレードＡＦＰ＝時事】男子テニス、元世界ランキング１位のノバク・ジョコビッチ（セルビア）は５日、新型コロナウイルスワクチン未接種のため再び米国大会の欠場が見込まれる状況について、「それが現実」と述べた。（写真はジョコビッチ）
　米運輸保安局（ＴＳＡ）が外国人入国者に対する新型コロナウイルスワクチンの接種義務を４月まで延長すると報じられたことで、ジョコビッチはマスターズ１０００のＢＮＰパリバ・オープン（３月８日から１９日まで）とマイアミ・オープン（３月２２日から４月２日まで）に出られない見通しとなっている。
　ジョコビッチは全豪オープンの前哨戦として出場しているアデレード国際１での記者会見で、「自分も見たが、まだ正式ではないと思う。正式に決まれば、そのことについて話せるだろう」と話した。
　だが、報道陣からＴＳＡの正式声明があったと指摘されると、「正式だというなら、そうなのだろう。自分に何ができる？ 何もできない。自分の立場はご存じの通りだ。それが現実」とし、「（出場することを）望んでいる。だが、行けないというなら、行くことはできない」と語った。
　四大大会（グランドスラム）通算２１勝を誇るジョコビッチは、昨年１月にもワクチン未接種のため全豪オープンの開幕前にオーストラリアから強制退去となり、その後は同様の理由で米国に入国できず、全米オープンにも出場できなかった。【翻訳編集ＡＦＰＢＢＮｅｗｓ】
〔ＡＦＰ＝時事〕（2023/01/06-12:59）

Novak Djokovic said it is what it is Thursday as he faced the prospect of missing more tournaments in the United States over his refusal to have a coronavirus shot.
The former world number one is set to miss the prestigious Indian Wells and Miami Open ATP 1000 events after US authorities extended their requirement for international visitors to be vaccinated against Covid-19.
I saw it, but I don't think it's official yet, so when it's official we can speak about it, the Serbian 21-time Grand Slam winner said in Adelaide, where he is preparing for the Australian Open.
When reporters at a press conference cited a statement from the US Transportation Security Administration (TSA), he replied: I mean, if it is official then it is -- what can I do? Nothing. You know my position, so it is what it is.
I'm hoping (to play), but if I can't go, I can't go, added the 35-year-old.
The TSA has reportedly extended the ban on unvaccinated non-citizens until April, with Indian Wells running from March 6-19 and the Miami Open from March 19-April 2.
Djokovic was prevented from entering the United States to play the US Open last year over his vaccination status, having been deported from Australia in January ahead of the Australian Open for the same reason.
He was initially banned from Australia for three years after losing a high-stakes legal battle, but the requirement for visitors to show proof of vaccination has since been lifted and his ban overturned.
Speaking about the Australian experience last week, Djokovic said: You can't forget those events. It's one of these things that sticks with you, it stays with you for I guess the rest of your life.
It was something that I've never experienced before, and hopefully never again.
The Serb has slipped to five in the world and risks forfeiting up to 2,000 ranking points if he does not play Indian Wells and Miami.