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

By Abdul Rafay in Sports On 21st February 2022
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When asked if he would forgo competing in tournaments like Wimbledon and the French Open because of his opinion on the vaccine, the 34-year-old told the BBC: "Yes, that is the price that I'm willing to pay."

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

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"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."

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When asked why he cares so much about this that he would pass up the chance to earn the most Grand Slam championships 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."

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The Serb went on to state that he's keeping [his] mind open' to the idea of being vaccinated in the future, 'since we are all trying to find a best possible option to end Covid jointly.'

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 that he had got a medical exemption to enter Australia to compete in the Australian Open after recovering from Covid-19.

Some speculated that his positive test in mid-December, just in time for an exemption, was strange, but Djokovic denied any wrongdoing.

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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.”

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

After Australia's immigration minister, Alex Hawke, personally denied his visa, fearing that his presence would instigate 'civil unrest' and foment anti-vaccine sentiment, he was eventually deported.

Djokovic will make his comeback at the Dubai Duty-Free Tennis Championships, which begin on February 21 and require no vaccination against Covid-19.