Download
Novak Djokovic prepared to miss out on being 'greatest of all time' to avoid jab
Giulia Carbonaro

 

If you were wondering whether missing out on a potential twenty-first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open made Novak Djokovic reconsider the benefits of getting jabbed against COVID-19, now you have the answer: the world's men's tennis number one has not changed his mind.

Djokovic would rather miss out on future trophies than be forced to take a COVID-19 jab. He told the BBC, in the first interview he has done since being forced to leave Melbourne last month, it was because "the principles of decision making on my body are more important than any title or anything else."

Not even the fact that his rival Rafael Nadal is now the most decorated Grand Slam winner of all time is able to convince Djokovic to compromise on his stance against COVID-19 vaccines but he has said he will continue to keep an open mind.

 

READ MORE

How do I know if my child has long COVID?

Podcast: Do we need exams in schools? 

What is the Year of the Tiger?

 

When asked whether he would avoid getting the jab even if that meant missing out on playing at Wimbledon or the French Open this year, where he's the defending champion, Djokovic said that "that is the price I'm willing to pay."

 

Djokovic kissing his winner's trophy and celebrating his victory over Italy's Matteo Berrettini during the men's singles final match of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London in July 2021 - his sixth Wimbledon title. /AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali

Djokovic kissing his winner's trophy and celebrating his victory over Italy's Matteo Berrettini during the men's singles final match of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London in July 2021 - his sixth Wimbledon title. /AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali

 

Djokovic, the highest-ranked men's tennis player in the world, was at the center of a controversy surrounding his vaccination status in January when he was deported from Australia and banned from taking part in the Australian Open.

The 34-year-old player, who's still not vaccinated against COVID-19, had said he had obtained a medical exemption to enter Australia due to his recent recovery from the virus, but his visa was eventually canceled by the Australian government after a lengthy and emotionally-fueled trial.

While Djokovic was stuck in a legal limbo in Melbourne, the Serbian player received a wave of support from fans across the world - including anti-vax groups.

But the Serb said he doesn't want to be associated with the movement, he understands the need to protect the vulnerable in society but he defends the right to not have the vaccine.

"I was never against vaccination," despite previous statements testifying to the opposite, including Djokovic declaring he was "opposed to vaccination" in April 2020. 

"But I've always supported the freedom to choose what you put in your body," he added.

 

Djokovic was deported from Australia in January after losing a bid to stay in the country to defend his Australian Open title despite not being vaccinated against COVID-19. /AP Photo/Darko Bandic

Djokovic was deported from Australia in January after losing a bid to stay in the country to defend his Australian Open title despite not being vaccinated against COVID-19. /AP Photo/Darko Bandic

 

Djokovic is notoriously cautious with his diet, attributing a lot of his success to a Serbian nutritionist who in 2010 determined the tennis star suffered from a gluten intolerance simply by holding a piece of white bread in front of him. 

In Djokovic's book, 'Serve to Win: The 14-Day Gluten-Free Plan for Physical and Mental Excellence', he outlines how incorporating the diet principles of traditional Chinese Medicine increased his endurance and overall performance on the court.

He is due to play in Doha later this month but is expected to miss two major tournaments in the U.S. during March unless rules on requiring proof of full vaccination are dropped by tournament organizers.

The French Open is not until June and by then, as an EU resident, Djokovic may be able to compete at Roland Garros. 

 

Cover image: AP Photo/Mark Baker, File

Source(s): AFP

Search Trends