Novak Djokovic has claimed he would rather miss out on future tennis titles than be forced to take a vaccine for Covid-19.
The Serbian missed out on last month’s Australian Open title after being deported from the country in a row over his vaccine status.
Djokovic, who could have eclipsed Roger Federer and Rafel Nadal in winning the most Grand Slam titles, has admitted that he could miss further tournaments, if vaccine requirements are not updated.
In an interview with the BBC, the world No.1 said: "I was never against vaccination, but I've always supported the freedom to choose what you put in your body.
Asked why he was willing to potentially forego future tournaments, Djokovic added: "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."
He later confirmed that he may be open to receiving a vaccination in the future, “keeping his mind open 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 suggested he thought he had been granted an exemption to compete in Melbourne, with the nation’s immigration minister Alex Hawkes personally cancelling his visa on the grounds that his presence could spark “civil unrest”.
But the tennis superstar accepted that his stance would come with consequences, including missing out on one of the sport’s biggest four tournaments.
He explained: “Australia has been in one of the most severe lockdowns since the start of the pandemic so I can only imagine how it was for Australians and I sympathise and empathise with them all.
“I understand there has been a lot of frustrations from Australians towards me and towards the entire situation and the way it was dealt with.
“I understand it as well, reading newspapers you get certain conclusions. I would like to say I always follow the rules.
“The email that was sent to me and all the athletes potentially going to Australia, I received it and there was a possibility for me to get an exemption.
“I was prepared to not go to Australia, as much as I love the country and I’ve always looked forward to go to the Australian summer, it was a very difficult decision for me because I understood with the decision I made, that consequences mean not going to Australia and I was ready.”
Pushed on whether he thought an exception could have been made, he replied: “I agree that there should be no special rules. I never used my status to get into Australia by force or to do anything in this entire process.
“As I mentioned, the email I received that was sent to all athletes, we were following the rules and when there was a possibility for a medical exemption, I was using that.
"I put forward my PCR test and that I had the right anti-bodies at the time and that was accepted by two independent Australian medicals, anonymously it is important to clarify.”
