Novak Djokovic reveals he would rather miss Wimbledon and French Open than get Covid vaccine after Australia row
NOVAK DJOKOVIC has today revealed he would rather miss out on future tennis titles including Wimbledon than get jabbed.
The 20-time Grand Slam winner insists that he is not an antivaxxer – but believes in the individual’s right to choose.
Djokovic, 34, told the BBC’s Amol Rajan that losing out on future sports victories is “the price I’m willing to pay”.
He said: “The principles of decision making on my body are more important than any title.”
The Serbian national made it clear that he would rather miss out on competitions like Wimbledon and the French Open over his stance.
Djokovic earned £1.7million for lifting the Wimbledon title last year – the total prize pot was £35m – and £1.2m for his French Open glory.
He took home £1.5m after winning the Australian Open in 2021, although his great rival Rafa Nadal pocketed £2.3m last month Down Under – an extra 53 per cent due to the financial recovery from the pandemic.
Djokovic’s total career earnings stand at more than £114m as he stands on 86 titles and 11 wins shy of 1,000 singles victories over 19 years.
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However, the seven-time year-end world No1 added that he hoped strict rules on vaccines for future tournaments could change, as he would like to “play for many more years”.
He also explained that he had received vaccines as a child, adding: “But I’ve always supported the freedom to choose what you put in your body.”
A string of Covid vaccine studies have shown how effective the jab is to slow the spread of the deadly virus.
It’s vital to get your life-saving jabs and be fully protected – after the latest research from Pfizer found three doses “neutralises” the mutant variant.
And just one Covid jab offers two-thirds protection against the virus.
AUSTRALIA ROW
It comes after the tennis star was detained, and then turned round at the Australian border when he tried to enter the country to play in the Australian Open last year.
After an intense 11 days which saw two visas be cancelled, two court challenges as well as overnight stays in an immigration detention centre, Djokovic was deported.
And Nadal was later crowned the Australian Open winner, breaking Djokovic and Roger Federer’s Grand Slam wins record by taking his tally to 21.
Djokovic revealed in the BBC interview that he was “sad and disappointed” that he couldn’t take part.
But he insisted that the only reason he was deported was because Australia’s Minister for Immigration, Alex Hawke, personally cancelled the tennis star’s visa over fears he could whip up an antivaxx frenzy in the country.
The 34-year-old insisted that he does take his health very seriously, relying on “wellbeing, health and nutrition”.
The best way to protect yourself and the ones you love from Covid-19 is by getting jabbed.
There are now fears Djokovic could face a fresh antivaxx row after he was named on the entry list for Indian Wells.
Next month’s US-based tournament requires all players to be vaccinated.