Novak Djokovic speaks on COVID vaccine for the first time since exile

Djokovic, who has not been vaccinated, was deported from Australia after an 11-day rollercoaster experience that included two visa cancellations, two court challenges and five nights over two nights at an immigration detention hotel where asylum seekers were held. is kept.

“Yes, that’s the price I’m willing to pay,” the 34-year-old Serbian told the BBC. uninfected condition.

The 20-time major champion is set to return to competitive action at an ATP tournament in Dubai next week as he was relegated ahead of the Australian Open, the year’s first tennis grand slam.

Another win at Melbourne Park, where Djokovic has won nine titles, could have taken him to a men’s record 21 major titles, but instead it was his longtime rival Rafa Nadal who carried on by lifting the trophy last month.

Djokovic said he was ready to sacrifice his shot at the milestone at “freedom of choice”, but he was keeping an open mind about putting a stop to it in the future.

“I was never against vaccinations,” he said, adding that he took vaccines as a child. “But I’ve always supported the freedom to choose what you put in your body.

“I understand that globally, everyone is trying to make a big effort to deal with this virus and hopefully this virus will come to an end soon.”