Novak Djokovic finally speaks out about his vaccine refusal.
Written byTimes Magazine
Novak Djokovic says he would rather lose tennis trophies in the future than be forced to be vaccinated against Covid. Speaking exclusively to the BBC, he said he should not be associated with the anti-candle movement but support individual voting rights.
Djokovic was asked if he would sacrifice his participation in competitions such as Wimbledon and the French Open for his position in vaccines. "Yeah, that's the price I'm willing to pay," he said. The 20-time Grand Slam winner was expelled from Australia last month after the government revoked his visa due to his vaccination status.
Djokovic, the world's top tennis player, said he had received medical clearance to enter the country to play at the Australian Open since recovering from Covid-19.
However, the country's Immigration Minister, Alex Hawke, personally revoked the 34-year-old's visa because his presence could spark "civil unrest" and stoke anti-vaccination sentiment. "I was never against vaccination," he told the BBC, confirming he was vaccinated as a child, "but I have always supported the freedom to choose what you put in your body."
In the broad interview, his first since being imprisoned in Melbourne in January, Djokovic focused on speculation about the timing of Covid-19 positive cases in December and discussed his approach to a vaccine.
Djokovic said he hoped the vaccination requirements would change at specific tournaments, adding he wished he could "play for many years to come."
But he also assembled it clear that he was willing to give up the chance to become the most magnific tennis player of all time statistically because he felt so strong.
When asked why, he replied, "Because the principle of decision-making is more important to my body than any title or anything. I try to conform to my body as much as possible."
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Djokovic said that "he has always been an excellent student in health, wellness, wellness and nutrition" and that his decisions were in part influenced by the positive impact factors such as changes in diet and sleep have had on his abilities as an athlete.
He said he was "keeping his opinion open" about the possibility of getting vaccinated in the future "as we are all trying to find the best solution together to end Covid."
"I was never against vaccination. However, I understand that everyone worldwide is trying to make great efforts to deal with this virus, and we hope that this virus will end soon.
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