MUMBAI: This should shut up the motivated “hint-hint, nudge-nudge” speculative reportage that has surrounded tennis world No.1 Novak Djokovic ever since the fiasco that was the Australian Open 2022 for the Serbian superstar.
In his first interview since his deportation from Australia that had nothing to do with legal jurisprudence and everything to do with domestic politics, given to the BBC, Djokovic said he should not be associated with the anti-vax movement, but supported an individual’s right to choose.
When asked if he would sacrifice taking part in competitions such as Wimbledon and the French Open over his stance on the vaccine, his answer was unequivocal: “Yes, that is the price that I’m willing to pay.”
“I was never against vaccination,” he told the BBC, confirming that he’d had vaccines as a child, “but I’ve always supported the freedom to choose what you put in your body.”
In the wide-ranging interview, Djokovic addressed speculation about the timing of his positive Covid case in December and made public his own attitude towards the vaccine.
He confirmed he was willing to forego the chance to become statistically the greatest male tennis player of all time because he felt so strongly.
Djokovic’s great rival Rafael Nadal has now won 21 Grand Slam singles titles – the most of any male competitor.
Asked why, he 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.”
