Novak Djokovic to skip French Open, Wimbledon over vaccine mandate

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• Tennis star Novak Djokovic confirmed that he is not vaccinated against COVID-19 in a TV appearance.
• The world’s No. 1 tennis player said that he would rather skip Wimbledon and the French Open than get vaccinated.
• Djokovic was barred from the recent Australian Open because of his vaccination status.

Novak Djokovic says he would rather skip Wimbledon and the French Open if he’s required to take a COVID-19 vaccine to play on both tournaments. But the Serbian tennis player insists he’s not “against vaccination.”

Djokovic, who currently ranked as world No. 1 by the Association of Tennis Professionals, spoke with the BBC about his vaccine stance in an interview broadcast on Tuesday.

He acknowledged that he is not vaccinated against COVID-19. When asked if he’s willing to miss the French Open and Wimbledon to remain unvaccinated, Djokovic was clear.

“Yes, that is the price I’m willing to pay,” he answered.

Djokovic reiterated his belief that everyone should have the freedom to choose. He didn’t address the negative public health impacts that come with a personal choice to refuse a vaccine.

He instead maintained that in his position as a professional athlete, he’s meticulous about what does and doesn’t go into his body.

“Me as an elite professional athlete, I’ve always carefully reviewed, assessed everything that comes in from supplements, food, sports drink, the water that I drink, sports drinks — anything that comes into my body as a fuel,” Djokovic said. “Based on all the information that I got, I decided not to take the vaccine.”

Djokovic didn’t divulge exactly what information convinced him against taking a vaccine that’s received full FDA approval in the United States.

Djokovic missed the Australian Open because he was deported after the Australian government revoked his visa because of his vaccination status. Nadal won the Australian Open in January to claim his 21st.

French officials announced in January that Djokovic won’t be granted an exception to a government mandate requiring French Open participants to be vaccinated. Those rules could change along with the ever-evolving COVID-19 climate by the time the French Open is played in May. But if the status quo remains, it sounds like Djokovic won’t be at Roland Garros.

Source: AOL