Novak Djokovic breaks silence over COVID vaccine refusal; ready to sacrifice trophies 'if told to get jabbed'

World No. 1 Novak Djokovic on Tuesday broke his silence on the fiasco with the Australian government over the COVID vaccination which took place during the rece

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15 Feb 2022, 6:31 am

Serbian Tennis stalwart & World No. 1 Novak Djokovic on Tuesday broke his silence on the fiasco with the Australian government over the COVID vaccination which took place during the recently concluded Australian Open. In an interview with BBC World, Novak Djokovic clarified that he is not an anti-vax, however, he has the right to choose what to put inside his own body. Novak Djokovic was deported from Australia after losing a last-ditch court bid to stay in the country.

On being asked whether he would change his stance get vaccinated seeing major tournaments like Wimbledon and French are likely to make COVID vaccine mandatory. Djokovic on that stated that he is willing to pay the price suggesting he is ready to miss marquee event but not get jabbed by COVID vaccine.

"I was never against vaccination," said Djokovic, confirming that he'd had vaccines as a child, "but I've always supported the freedom to choose what you put in your body." On being further asked why he is not ready to get inoculated, the Serbian Tennis player replied, "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."

However, Djokovic further clarified that he is not against vaccination. "I was never against vaccination. I understand that globally, everyone is trying to put a big effort into handling this virus and seeing, hopefully, an end soon to this virus," said the Serbian Tennis stalwart.

Also Read: World No.1 Novak Djokovic named in the entry list for Indian Wells Open

Is Novak Djokovic COVID vaccinated? What happened with him & the Australian Govt?

Before the start of the Australian open, Novak Djokovic was granted a medical exemption to enter the country by two different independent health panels- one commissioned by Tennis Australia and the other by the state government of Victoria on the grounds of having tested positive for COVID in mid-December.

However, everything took a shocking turn when the Australian Border Force detained Novak on his arrival on 5th January for not meeting the federal coronavirus requirements and revoked his visa. The Serbian Tennis stalwart then moved to court to challenge the decision and the court reinstated his visa on the ground that he wasn't given enough time. However, once again Australia's immigration minister keeping in mind the best interest of his county used his ministerial discretion to revoke the Serbian Tennis star's visa.

However, the Australian Border Force detained the player on arrival on 5th January for not meeting the federal coronavirus requirements and revoked his visa. The player moved to court to challenge the decision and the court reinstated his visa on the ground that he wasn't given enough time. However, once again Australia's immigration minister keeping in mind the best interest of his county used his ministerial discretion to revoke the Serbian Tennis star's visa.

Following that Novak's legal team once again challenged the decision but did not get a ruling in their favour leaving the player with no choice but to be deported back to Serbia.

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