WORLD’S FIRST number Novak Djokovic has stated that he is not against vaccinations, but it is better to miss the Grand Slam tournaments than to force him to take an injection from Covid.
The Serb was deported in an emergency ahead of the Australian Open last month, where Rafael Nadal won a record 21st Grand Slam trophy, ahead of Djokovic and Roger Federer on the all-men’s list.
In an interview with the BBC on Tuesday, Djokovic was asked if he would donate to events such as Wimbledon and the French Open, because of his position on the vaccine.
“Yes, that’s the price I’m willing to pay,” Djokovic said, referring to giving up his chance to become the leading winner of the men’s Grand Slam.
Djokovic said he did not want to be involved in the anti-wax movement, but supported the human right to choose.
“I have never been against vaccinations,” he said, adding that he had been vaccinated as a child.
“But I have always supported the freedom to choose what you bring into your body.”
“The principles of decision making in my body are more important than any title or anything else,” he said.
“I try to be in harmony with my body as much as possible.”
Djokovic arrived in Melbourne in January for this year’s first Grand Slam tournament, claiming to have received medical exemption from entering the country without vaccinations since he was recently cured of Covid-19.
But Australian border officials said he did not meet the requirements to be exempt from strict vaccination rules, his visa was revoked and a lengthy court appeal failed.
In his first interview after leaving Melbourne, Djokovic said he hoped vaccination requirements would change and that he would be able to “play for many more years”.
Djokovic said he does not support vaccination in the future, “because we are all together trying to find the best solution to end Covid.
“I have never been against vaccinations. I understand that everyone around the world is trying to make a great effort to fight this virus and hopefully get rid of this virus soon. “
Djokovic said he was “sad” by the way events unfolded in Australia, where he spent several days in custody at a notorious immigration hotel.
“I was very sad and disappointed with how it all ended for me in Australia,” he said. “It was not easy.
“The reason I was deported from Australia was that the immigration minister used his opinion to revoke my visa based on the idea that I could create some anti-vacancy sentiment in the country or in the city, with which I completely disagree.” .