Novak Djokovic's the only person in the world who says what he thinks, this is why I respect him: Coach Goran Ivanisevic

Goran Ivanisevic recently shed light on Novak Djokovic's decision to remain unvaccinated in the midst of a raging pandemic. Ivanisevic believes Djokovic deserves credit for sticking to his guns as opposed to people who keep changing their minds depending on the situation.

Djokovic has maintained that he will not be taking the vaccine against COVID-19 any time soon as it might have adverse effects on his body. The Serb has even declared that he is willing to miss out on the biggest events on the calendar to stay unvaccinated.

Since missing key tournaments could prove detrimental to Djokovic's career, Goran Ivanisevic was recently asked by Ubaldo Scanagatta of Ubitennis if he had tried to convince the World No. 1 to take the vaccine.

In response, the Croat stressed that he would "respect" Djokovic's decision, especially since he has remained true to his words.

"It’s his life, his decision. I respect his decision, his family," Goran Ivanisevic said. "He said it truly that he’s going to risk his career. I even love him more for that because he’s standing by what he’s saying. He’s the only person in the world who says what he thinks. You know, one day they say one thing, one day they say another. He, from the beginning, is straight and this is why I respect him even more."

Novak Djokovic has been forced to sit out of several tournaments already this year, including the entire Australian swing as well as the Sunshine Double in the US.

As such, Ivanisevic hopes that the pandemic subsides so that the US government eases its rules ahead of the US Open.

"Hopefully this pandemic is going to stop. Only now he can play all the tournaments," Ivanisevic said. "I hope that America will open so he will be able to play the US Open in September."

"We’ll see how things are developing" - Goran Ivanisevic on Novak Djokovic's upcoming schedule

During the interview, Goran Ivanisevic was asked if he had plans to follow his charge to every tournament ahead of Roland Garros and help the Serb fine-tune his game.

Ivanisevic said that he would first need to sit down with Djokovic and decide on a schedule before making plans.

"We need to talk first today, to see what the schedule is going to be," Ivanisevic said. "He’s going to play all and we’ll see how things are developing and we’ll decide day by day."

The World No. 1 crashed out of the Monte-Carlo Masters in the second round after losing to Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in three sets. He will compete in the Serbia Open next.