Tennis No.1 Novak Djokovic has revealed he would rather miss out on tennis greatness than be forced to get the Covid vaccine against his will.
The men’s tennis No.1 was deported from Australia last month over his vaccination status in a row that made headlines around the world.
In being deported, Djokovic missed out on the chance to win a record-breaking 21st Grand Slam title, and in an interview with the BBC, he said he is willing to forego greatness to preserve his freedom of choice over the vaccine.
Asked if he would miss Wimbledon and the French Open over his vaccine beliefs, he said: “That is the price that I’m willing to pay.”
“The principles of decision making on my body are more important than any title or anything else,” Djokovic said. “I’m trying to be in tune with my body as much as I possibly can.”
“I was never against vaccination,” he added, confirming that he’d had vaccines as a child, “but I’ve always supported the freedom to choose what you put in your body.”
The 34-year-old had previously said he hoped vaccine requirements would not be mandatory for tournaments, but has not ruled out getting the jab in the future, telling the BBC he has an “open mind.
