Djokovic says he will risk missing major tournaments in the future

 Tennis superstar Novak Djokovic has spoken out about his stance on vaccination and the deportation controversy he faced in Australia earlier this year after being denied the opportunity to defend his Australian Open title in Melbourne. The Serb has stated that the title of greatest-ever men’s tennis player is less important to him than the ability to select what he puts in his body.

Without the Covid-19 vaccine, Djokovic is also at risk of missing major tournaments in the future. He will make his comeback in the ATP 500 Dubai Tennis Championships, which will be held from February 21 to February 26.

Djokovic’s visa was revoked shortly after he arrived in Melbourne due to a lack of proof for a Covid-19 vaccination exemption. He spent a few days in an immigration detention center, but the cancellation was overturned by an Australian court when the tennis player chose legal action. The Serb was finally deported from Australia when Immigration Minister Alex Hawke chose to terminate his visa for the second time.

In January, as people in Australia were faced with a rise in Covid cases, the Djokovic saga in Melbourne divided the tennis community. Before being deported, the Serb, who is tied with Roger Federer for the most Grand Slams (20), began practicing at Melbourne Park. Rafael Nadal went on to win the Australian Open, becoming the first man in men’s singles history to win 21 Grand Slam championships.

“I have never been against vaccination,” he told the BBC. When asked if he would risk missing big events in the future if he couldn’t compete due to required vaccine laws, Djokovic replied, “Yes, that is the price I’m ready to pay.” “My body’s decision-making principles are more significant than any title or anything else. I’m trying to be as in sync with my body as possible “said the Serbian tennis star.

Djokovic has been named to the entry list for the Indian Wells Masters, which will be contested in March in California. However, he may have difficulty even entering the United States, because international air passengers have been required to be completely vaccinated and produce evidence of vaccination before boarding planes since November last year, with few exceptions, according to the Reuters news agency.