“THE PRICE THAT I AM WILLING TO PAY”: UNVACCINATED DJOKOVIC COULD SKIP FRENCH OPEN

Tue 15 February 2022:

Novak Djokovic said in a Tuesday interview that he is willing to skip the French Open and Wimbledon if coronavirus vaccination is required for him to compete.

The 20-time Grand Slam winner told the BBC that he has not been vaccinated and that missing the next two majors and other tournaments is “the price that I am willing to pay.”

“I understand the consequences of my decision,” Djokovic said. “I understand that not being vaccinated today, you know, I am unable to travel to most of the tournaments at the moment.”

Djokovic said he was not against vaccination but would skip Grand Slam tournaments if he was forced to take the jab against COVID-19.

After an 11-day rollercoaster ride that included two visa cancellations, two court challenges, and five nights in two stints at an immigration detention hotel where asylum seekers are held, Djokovic was deported from Australia.

“Yes, that is the price that I’m willing to pay,” the 34-year-old Serbian told the BBC, adding that he was aware that he would not be able to travel to most tournaments in the world currently because of his unvaccinated status.

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 long-time rival Rafa Nadal who nudged ahead by lifting the trophy last month.

Djokovic said he was ready to sacrifice his shot at the milestone over the “freedom of choice” but he was keeping an open mind about taking the jab in the future.

“I was never against vaccination,” 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 put a big effort into handling this virus and seeing, hopefully, an end soon to this virus.”

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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