Novak Djokovic is the primary tennis participant on the planet at 36 years previous, tallying 24 Grand Slam titles over his illustrious profession, which doesn’t appear to be coming to an finish anytime quickly.
By way of all of the success although, Djokovic was forged as a villain lately for his determination to not get the COVID-19 vaccination.
Regardless of the backlash, he has remained steadfast in his perception that he doesn’t should get the vaccine. In September, Djokovic spoke with tennis nice John McEnroe about his stance, although it was not the mindset folks believed he had.
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Novak Djokovic celebrates a degree through the semifinal match in opposition to Jannik Sinner within the Davis Cup Ultimate at Palacio de Deportes Jose Maria Martin Carpena on Nov. 25, 2023 in Malaga, Spain. (Francisco Macia/High quality Sport Pictures/Getty Pictures)
Djokovic stated he was not “anti-vax,” however somewhat “pro-freedom to decide on” whether or not an individual needs to get the vaccine or not.
Throughout a “60 Minutes” interview that aired on Sunday, Djokovic reiterated these feedback.
“Individuals tried to declare me as an anti-vax [person]. I’m not anti-vax, nor am I pro-vax. I’m pro-freedom to decide on,” he stated as soon as extra.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC SAYS HE WAS NEVER ‘ANTI-VAX’: ‘I WAS ALWAYS PRO-FREEDOM TO CHOOSE’
Controversy unfold globally for Djokovic when the Serbian native wished to defend his Australian Open title in 2022. Nonetheless, regardless of being granted a medical exemption to enter Australia with out the COVID-19 vaccination, Immigration Minster Alex Hawke revoked Djokovic’s visa.
“I used to be mainly declared as a villain of the world,” Djokovic advised “60 Minutes.” “I had, mainly, many of the world in opposition to me. I had that form of expertise on the tennis court docket with crowds that had been possibly not cheering me on. However I by no means had this specific expertise earlier than in my life.
Novak Djokovic celebrates a degree through the semifinal match in opposition to Jannik Sinner within the Davis Cup Ultimate at Palacio de Deportes Jose Maria Martin Carpena on Nov. 25, 2023 in Malaga, Spain. (Clive Brunskill/Getty Pictures for ITF)
“I obtained the exemption, I obtained the permission to come back into the nation. So, after all, it escalated to the very best of highest ranges globally.”
Djokovic would launch a case to avoid wasting his visa and his means to compete within the Australian Open. Supporters of Australia’s determination to cancel his visa, in addition to these believing Djokovic had the proper to play, stood exterior a courtroom the place three judges made the choice to deport Djokovic.
He stated on the time he was “extraordinarily upset” with the choice, although he accepted the ruling and went on a flight to Dubai. This course of lasted 10 days previous to the beginning of the match.
Djokovic advised McEnroe in September he would forgo profitable extra Grand Slam titles if the vaccine is required to take part within the match.
Novak Djokovic seems on throughout a press convention after the semifinal match in opposition to Jannik Sinner and Lorenzo Sonego in Davis Cup Ultimate at Palacio de Deportes Jose Maria Martin Carpena on Nov. 25, 2023 in Malaga, Spain. (Francisco Macia/High quality Sport Pictures/Getty Pictures)
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He gained his twenty fourth Grand Slam on the 2023 U.S. Open over Daniil Medvedev in straight units after beforehand defeating budding American star Ben Shelton within the semifinals.
