Novak Djokovic would rather forego future tennis achievements and titles than be forced to take the Covid-19 vaccine, the world number one tennis player said in an interview.
The Serb was speaking to the BBC when he reiterated his view that individuals should be given the right to choose for themselves what they put into their bodies.
"I was never against vaccination, but I've always supported the freedom to choose what you put in your body,” he said, adding that he has been vaccinated against other diseases before.
However, he also said that he was keeping an open mind about getting the Covid-19 vaccine in the future, “because we are all trying to find collectively, a best possible solution to end Covid”.
The 34-year-old was denied the opportunity to defend the Australian Open title last month after a court battle in Melbourne. Though the court permitted him to stay in the country, which has a strict vaccination mandate, Australia’s immigration minister deported the player for not producing a vaccination certificate.
As a result, Rafael Nadal pulled clear of the 20-slam deadlock between Djokovic, Federer and himself, by winning the event in the absence of Djokovic.
Djokovic says he understands the implications of his stance, which could include having to not play at this year’s Wimbledon and French Open.
“Yes, that is a price I am willing to pay,” he said.
“The principles of decision making on my body are more important than any title or anything else. I'm trying to be in tune with my body as much as I possibly can,” he said.
Djokovic said he was deeply disappointed with the way things transpired on his landing in Australia last month. He spent several days in isolation at a detention centre and had to battle public outrage against his refusal to be vaccinated.
“The reason why I was deported from Australia was because the minister for immigration used his discretion to cancel my visa based on his perception that I might create some anti-vax sentiment in the country or in the city, which I completely disagree with,” said Djokovic.
He is currently on the player entry list for next month’s Indian Wells tournament in California, US. But Djokovic, who has won the BNP Paribas Open five times, could have to battle another national vaccine mandate to play at the Masters event. The US requires all visitors to be fully vaccinated.
