Would Rather Miss Tournaments Than Take COVID-19 Vaccine: Novak Djokovic

Novak Djokovic said that he would rather miss tennis tournaments than be forced to take a COVID-19 vaccine.

Djokovic spoke up for the first time since being deported from Australia before the Australian Open last month due to his unvaccinated status.

When asked by the BBC if he was willing to skip tournaments like Wimbledon and the French Open over his vaccine stance, Djokovic said, "Yes, that is the price that I'm willing to pay."

Djokovic also said that he is not anti-vaccine and does not want to be associated with the movement stating that his stance is based on having "the freedom to choose what you put in your body."

"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," Djokovic told the BBC.

Djokovic also said that he hoped the vaccine requirements at certain tournaments change stating that he hoped he "can play for many more years".

The 34-year-old Serbian is second with Roger Federer in the list of men's singles Grand Slam winners with 20 titles. Rafael Nadal took the all-time Grand Slam record after he won his 21st title at the Australian Open.

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