By James Simons-
Novak Djokovic has said he would rather miss out on future tennis trophies than be forced to get a Covid vaccine.
The tennis ace was forced to miss out on the Australian open last month after he was deported following a court ruling in favour of the Australian immigration minister, Alex Hawke.
AD: Capeesh Restaurant
Hawke argued that Djokavic’s presence could incite anti vaccine sentiment in the country. Djokovic strongly disagreed with this position, but his legal representatives failed to convince the judge about his position. Djokovic had obtained a medical exemption to enter the country to play in the Australian Open, after he had recently recovered from Covid-19.
When asked whether he would sacrifice taking part in competitions such as Wimbledon and the French Open over his stance on the vaccine, the tennis star insisted he would make that sacrifice. Asked why, he replied: “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.”
In an interview with the BBC, Djokovic said he was hoping to play for many more years but was prepared to forgo the historical opportunity to become a legendary tennis player.
AD: Oysterian Sea Food Restaurant And Bar
Djokovic’s rival, Rafael Nadal, has won 21 Grand Slam singles titles – the most of any male competitor. Asked why, he replied: “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.”
Djokovic said he had “always been a great student of wellness, wellbeing, health, nutrition,” and that his decision had been partly influenced by the positive impact that factors such as changing his diet and his sleeping patterns, had had on his abilities as an athlete.
He said he was “keeping [his] mind open” about the possibility of being vaccinated in the future, “because we are all trying to find collectively, a best possible solution to end Covid”.
“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 is facing an uphill struggle to participate in future tennis competitions without being vaccinated , and his lukewarm attitude to covid-19 in the past has not benefited him with the authorities of countries hosting tennis tournaments.
Missing out on trophies defeats the purpose of participating in a competitive sport that rewards exceptional performance and establishes historical accomplishments.
AD: Heritage And Restaurant Lounge Bar