Better not to vaccinate than to be the greatest player of all time!
Tennis superstar Novak Djokovic (34) remains true to his anti-vaccination attitude towards Corona. The Serb confirmed this in an exclusive and remarkable interview with the British broadcaster BBC.
His first official statements after the quarrels in Australia …
The entry fiasco for world number one Novak Djokovic was THE topic in January. First, the Serb announced that he would be allowed to play at the Australian Open with a “medical exemption”, then he was expelled from the country due to his lack of vaccination when entering Australia.
BBC presenter Amol Rajan (38) now received Djokovic for an exclusive interview.
Rajan: “Would you pass up the chance to be the best player who – statistically speaking – ever had a racket in your hand because you are so fond of this thing (the non-vaccination against Corona; editor’s note. ) are convinced?”
Djokovic is at peace. He takes his time answering, smiles: “Yes, I would.”
Background: Rival Rafael Nadal (35) has won 21 Grand Slams – more than any other tennis player. Roger Federer (40) and Djokovic each have 20 titles in the biggest tennis tournaments. A fight at eye level.
Rajan follows up: “If that means you would miss the French Open – would that be the price you would pay?”
Djokovic confident and clear: “Yes, that’s the price I would pay.”
The BBC presenter further asks: “If that means you would miss Wimbledon – would that be the price you would pay?”
Djokovic: “Yes.”
Rajan can hardly believe it: “Why Novak, why?” Djokovic replies confidently and unequivocally again: “Because the principles of decision-making are more important to my body than any title or anything else. I try to be as in tune with my body as possible.”
In principle, Djokovic did not rule out vaccination against the corona virus in the future. He keeps the possibility open “because we are all trying to find the best possible solution for the end of Covid-19”. So he was never fundamentally against the spades. Djokovic also confirmed he was vaccinated as a child. However, the tennis ace is hoping regulations would change at certain tournaments and he “can still play for many years to come”.
Djokovic wants to make his comeback after the events in Australia next week at the ATP tournament in Dubai – here he can start without vaccination.
The next Grand Slam tournament starts on May 22 with the French Open. According to the “Gazetta dello Sport”, there is a plan to let those who have recovered, whose infection was not more than six months ago, start there. Djokovic had stated that he had tested positive on December 16th.