Novak Djokovic expressed feeling like the “villain of the world” for jeopardizing his tennis career by refusing the COVID-19 vaccine. Despite winning his 24th grand slam title at the US Open recently, Djokovic revealed his decision to decline the vaccine resulted in him being deported from Australia in January 2022 due to his vaccination status. As a consequence, he was unable to compete in both the Australian and US Opens that year.
In an interview with fellow tennis player John McEnroe on the show ‘McEnroe’s Places,’ Djokovic clarified his stance on vaccines, emphasizing that he was never anti-vax, but rather pro-freedom of choice. He expressed his belief that many people did not have the option to choose and he did not want to be in that position.
Djokovic stated, “[I felt like I was] a villain of the world … I just wanted to compete and I wanted to play tennis because that’s what I do best.” He has consistently maintained that he advocated for the freedom to make decisions regarding his own body, rather than being classified as an ‘anti-vaxxer.’
In an interview with the BBC, Djokovic clarified that although he was not against vaccination, he believed in the importance of personal autonomy and the right to choose what goes into one’s body. He emphasized that his decision-making process concerning his body took priority over any titles or achievements. Djokovic also highlighted his keen interest in wellness, wellbeing, health, and nutrition, suggesting that his vaccination decision was influenced by factors such as diet and sleep patterns, which significantly impact his performance as an athlete.