LONDON – If forced to pick, Novak Djokovic has claimed he will miss the French Open and Wimbledon, missing out on a chance to equal or even surpass 21 Grand Slam titles. Rafael Nadal, instead of being vaccinated against COVID-19.
And No. 1 in the world is still being ousted from expulsion from Australia last month after a long history of his vaccination regime that has polarized views around the world.
Speaking in an interview with the BBC on Tuesday, the 20-time Grand Slam champion revealed that he was still unvaccinated and was willing to sacrifice titles to stay that way.
If necessary, not defending his Roland Garros and Wimbledon titles and losing other tournaments is “the price I am ready to pay,” said the 34-year-old Serb, comments that could further strengthen his status as a hero to some. opponents of vaccination.
Djokovic added that he was not opposed to vaccination and tried to distance himself from vaccination activists, saying: “I never said I was part of this movement. »
He noted, however, that “everyone has the right to choose, to do or to say what suits them best” and that he believes in “the freedom to choose what you put into your body”. And, to me, it’s “essential.”
“I try to be in tune with my body as much as possible,” he explained, adding that he was always careful with what he swallowed. Based on all the information I have received, I decided not to get the vaccine, from now on. »
“I understand the consequences of my decision,” he continued. I understand that because I have not been vaccinated today, I can not go to most tournaments right now. »
When asked if he was ready to lose Roland Garros in May, he repeated: “This is the price I am ready to pay. »
Asked again if he was ready to lose Wimbledon, he added: “Yes. »
“Because the principles of decision-making for my body are more important than any title or anything else,” he said.
Dissatisfied with his treatment
Djokovic has twice won the French Open, the last of which was in 2021, and has six titles at Wimbledon, including the last three.
Nadal won the Australian Open this year, giving him another important title from Djokovic and Roger Federer. Djokovic was sent off before the start of the tournament.
Djokovic discussed in detail the drama of his dismissal with the BBC and made clear his dissatisfaction with the way it happened.
“What people probably do not know is that I was not deported from Australia because I was not vaccinated, or because I broke any rules or made a mistake. In my visa application,” he said. cancel my visa based on the perception that I may create anti-fax sentiment in the country or city with which I completely disagree. “
The epic began when Djokovic was exempted from strict vaccination rules by two medical teams and Tennis Australia. This exemption, based on evidence that he had recently recovered from COVID-19, apparently allowed him to obtain a visa to enter Australia. But when he arrived, the border guards said the exemption was invalid and decided to deport him.
The ensuing controversy raised questions about whether Djokovic had received unfair special treatment or whether he had been treated unfairly because of his status as a celebrity.
In an interview with the BBC, he said: “I have never used my privileged position to invade Australia. »
A court initially ruled for procedural reasons that Djokovic could remain in Australia, but Australian Immigration Minister Alex Hawke, who has broad powers, later decided to deport him. The government said his presence could spark sentiment against the vaccine.
“I understand that there has been a lot of, say, disappointment from the Australians towards me and the whole situation and the way it has been handled,” Djokovic told the BBC. I would like to say that I always followed the rules. »
His threats to lose the next two big ones may prove unfounded.
New rules in force in England from last week allow the unvaccinated to enter the test before and after arrival.
Vaccination rules in France could also change in the months leading up to Roland Garros, possibly allowing Djokovic to play. The country has begun to ease some of its health and travel constraints as it recovers from the record rise in infections fueled by the highly contagious Omicron variant.
