Tennis Superstar and World No.1 player Novak Djokovic is prepared to miss two major grand slams including French Open and Wimbledon, if being vaccinated becomes mandatory for athletes.
Earlier Djokovic was forbidden from taking part in this year`s Australian Open. In result of being not vaccinated before entering Australia for the grand slam, Djokovic is banned from entering Australia for next 3 years and was deported shortly after being caught unvaccinated.
“I understand the consequences of my decision,” Djokovic told the BBC, He further said that he was prepared not to travel to Australia for the grand slam due to his vaccination status. “I understand that not being vaccinated today; I am unable to travel to most of the tournaments at the moment. Yes, that is the price that I’m willing to pay”.
The World No.1 wants to play for many more years, but the freedom of what he wants to put in his body is more important to him than any Grand Slam title.
Djokovic won the Wimbledon and French Open last year, is now all set to return back in action at an ATP tournament in Dubai starting from next week, he will be on court for the first time after his deportation from Australia.
Djokovic decision of not taking the jab might affect his career, as like Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon do have the right to ban him from taking part in the tournament if he is not vaccinated.
Djokovic not being there in the Australian Open helps his long-time rival Rafael Nadal to win the grand slam and become the only male Tennis athlete who has won 21 Grand Slam titles.
“I was really sad and disappointed with the way it all ended for me in Australia,” Djokovic said, adding that he was deported despite following all rules. “It wasn’t easy.
The reason behind Djokovic being deported from Australia was that the Minister for Immigration used his circumspection to cancel his visa based on the perception that he might create some anti-vaccination sentiment in the country, which he completely disagree with.
