Novak Djokovic has said that he would rather relinquish the chance to become the greatest player of all time than be forced to take a Covid vaccine.
Speaking publicly for the first time since he was deported from Australia last month, Djokovic said he places greater value on what he puts into his body than the defence of the titles he won last season, when he came within one win of completing a calendar-year grand slam.
“Yes, that is the price that I’m willing to pay,” he told the BBC when asked if he would be prepared to forgo the chance to defend his French Open and Wimbledon titles.
“Because 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.”
Djokovic insisted that he is not part of the anti-vaccination movement, but defended the principle of individual freedom of choice over whether to get inoculated.
“I was never against vaccination,” said the 34-year-old. “I understand that globally everyone is trying to put a big effort into handling this virus … probably half of the planet was vaccinated, and I fully respect that.
“But I’ve always represented and always supported the freedom to choose what you put into your body. For me, that is essential. It’s really the principle of understanding what is right and what is wrong for you.
“As an elite professional athlete, I’ve always carefully reviewed, assessed everything that comes in from the supplements, food, the water that I drink, sports drinks, anything that comes into my body as a fuel. Based on all the information that I got, I decided not to take the vaccine as of today.”
The world No 1 did, however, leave open the possibility that he might be vaccinated against Covid in the future.
“I keep my mind open,” he said. “I’m part of a very global sport that is played every single week in a different location. So I understand the consequences of my decision, and one of the consequences of my decision was not going to Australia, and I was prepared not to go.
“I understand that, not being vaccinated today, I am unable to travel to most of the tournaments at the moment, and that’s a price that I’m willing to pay.”
Djokovic was denied the opportunity to defend his Australian Open title last month after his visa was cancelled by the Australian government, partly on the basis that his status as a “talisman of anti-vaccination sentiment” might lead to civil disorder. The 20-time grand slam champion, who expressed his disappointment in the immediate aftermath of a court ruling upholding the decision, said he disagreed with that line of reasoning.
“The minister for immigration [Alex Hawke] 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, who emphasised that he did not sympathise with the views of anti-vaccination campaigners.
“It’s really unfortunate that there has been this kind of misconception and wrong conclusion that has been made, around the world, based upon something that I completely disagree with.”
Djokovic is scheduled to play his first tournament of the season in Dubai next week. Irrespective of how he performs there, he will be usurped as world No 1 by Daniil Medvedev should the Russian win the Acapulco title.