Novak Djokovic will not be vaccinated. The Serb, who was deported from Australia on January 16, broke his silence in an interview with the BBC (it will be broadcast in full later this Tuesday), in which he warned that his beliefs are above the possibility of being unhorsed in the fight to be the tennis player with the most Grand Slam in history. A pulse in which Rafa Nadal was placed ahead (21 titles) of the Balkan and Roger Federer with his victory in Melbourne.
“My decision is based on the fact that my body is more important than any title. I try to be in tune with my body as much as I can”, explained the number one, who declares himself “a great student of well-being, health and nutrition”. He is vegan, does not eat gluten and is a follower of holistic medicine and meditation with the advice of alternative medicine expert Chrevin Jafarieh or the Spanish Pepe Imaz.
“I could give up tournaments that force me to change my position on the vaccine, it is the price I am willing to pay”, warned Djokovic, who reappears next week in Dubai, where he could lose number one in favor of Daniil Medvedev (plays in Acapulco). If not, he will give it up on the US Masters 1000 tour (Indian Wells from March 14 and Miami from 28), because the US requires the full vaccination schedule and he will not be able to travel.
Djokovic is on the entry list for Indian Wells
To date, the Serbian could not participate in the Grand Slam either at Roland Garros (May 22-June 5) or at the US Open (in August). He alone at Wimbledon (June 27-July 10) quarantined for ten days. His schedule is greatly reduced, and in the spring he would pass through Monte Carlo, Belgrade, Rome and Madrid.
“I have never been against vaccines, I received them as a child. But I have always defended the freedom to decide what you put in your body”, explains Djokovic, who hopes that the restrictions will be relaxed and “play for many more years” while keeping “an open mind” regarding getting vaccinated in the future, “because we are all trying to find the best solution to end COVID”.
Despite having a medical exemption from the Australian Open to participate (he contracted COVID-19 in Serbia in December), Immigration Minister Alex Hawke used his power to expel him, considering him a danger to public health. “It was based on the perception that I could create an anti-vaccine sentiment in the country or in Melbourne, something I totally disagree with”, protests Djokovic.
Djokovic is ‘disappointed’ after being left out of the Australian Open
“What people don’t know is that I wasn’t deported for not being vaccinated or for breaking the rules,” he added. “It bothers me that it is said that it was manipulated (his PCR test),” he also defended.
While practically one hundred percent of the circuit is immunized, number one remains firm in its position of not accepting the vaccine. Whatever it takes. And it’s a lot. (D)
Source: Eluniverso
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