Djokovic Says He's Not Anti-Vax But Won't Compete If Jabs Mandatory

Novak Djokovic has insisted he's not anti-vax but said he will sacrifice playing in competitions if jabs are mandatory.

The world's number one men's tennis player was deported from Australia last month after finding himself at the centre of a vaccine row and was ultimately unable to play in the Australian Open.

Asked if he would sacrifice taking part in competitions such as Wimbledon and the French Open over his stance on the vaccine, the 34-year-old told the BBC: "Yes, that is the price that I'm willing to pay."

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However, the 20-times Grand Slam winner - who has not been vaccinated against Covid-19 - distanced himself from the anti-vax movement and said he had received vaccines as a child; rather, he said he is a proponent of the right to choose.

He said: "I have never said I'm part of that movement.

"It's really unfortunate that there has been this kind of misconception and wrong conclusion based upon something that I completely disagree with."

He added: "I was never against vaccination but I've always supported the freedom to choose what you put in your body."

Asked why he feels strongly enough about this to lose out on the opportunity to win the most Grand Slam titles in history, he explained: "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."

The Serb went on to say that he's 'keeping [his] mind open' to the possibility of getting vaccinated in the future 'because we are all trying to find collectively, a best possible solution to end Covid'.

He said: "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."

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Djokovic also said he had obtained a medical exemption to enter the country to play in the Australian Open as he had recently recovered from Covid-19.

Some felt the fact he tested positive in mid-December - just in time to be granted an exemption - seemed suspicious but Djokovic denied any foul play.

He said: "I understand that there is a lot of criticism, and I understand that people come out with different theories on how lucky I was or how convenient it is.

"But no-one is lucky and convenient of getting Covid. Millions of people have and are still struggling with Covid around the world.

"So I take this very seriously, I really don't like someone thinking I've misused something or in my own favour, in order to, you know, get a positive PCR test and eventually go to Australia."

He was ultimately deported after Australia's immigration minister, Alex Hawke, personally cancelled his visa, fearful his presence could incite 'civil unrest' and encourage anti-vaccine sentiment.

Djokovic is set to return to action at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships - which begin on 21 February - where entrants do not need to be vaccinated against Covid-19.

Topics: Sport, Coronavirus

Jake Massey

Jake Massey is a journalist at LADbible. He graduated from Newcastle University, where he learnt a bit about media and a lot about living without heating. After spending a few years in Australia and New Zealand, Jake secured a role at an obscure radio station in Norwich, inadvertently becoming a real-life Alan Partridge in the process. From there, Jake became a reporter at the Eastern Daily Press. Jake enjoys playing football, listening to music and writing about himself in the third person.

@jakesmassey