New Delhi: 'Unvaccinated' World number one tennis player Novak Djokovic, after being deported from Australia just a day ahead of the start of the Australia Open 2022, has made it clear that he is ready to skip tournaments like French Open and Wimbledon if he is asked to be vaccinated against Covid-19.
In an interview to the BBC, 20-time Major champion Djokovic said that even if he is not allowed to participate in any future tennis tournament due to vaccination rules, he is 'willing to pay the price'.
However, the star also made it clear he's not against vaccination, but whether to take it or not should be a personal choice, not imposed by anyone.
“That is the price that I am willing to pay.”
“Because the principles of decision-making on my body are more important than any title or anything else," Djokovic told BBC.
“I understand the consequences of my decision,” he said. “I understand that not being vaccinated today, you know, I am unable to travel to most of the tournaments at the moment.”
Djokovic said he believes in “the freedom to choose what you put into your body. And, for me, that is essential.”
“I am trying to be in tune with my body as much as I possibly can," he said, adding that he has always been careful about everything he ingests. “Based on all the information that I got, I decided not to take the vaccine, as of today."
Serbian player Novak Djokovic has won 20 Grand Slam titles so far. Before this year's Australian Open, he was on top with Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer in terms of winning the most Grand Slams. After Djokovic's exit from the Australian Open, Rafael Nadal jumped to number one spot in this list with 21 Grand Slams.