“the Price That I'm Willing to Pay”: Novak Djokovic Won't Compromise Freedom of Choice to Contest Grand Slam Events Requiring Vaccination

n 2021, Novak Djokovic fell one win short of becoming just the second man in the Open Era to clinch a calendar-year Grand Slam. In 2022, it’s possible the world No. 1 won’t defend any of the major trophies he hoisted.

Djokovic is yet to step onto a match court this year following January’s saga that ultimately saw the 34-year-old deported from Australia by the country’s immigration minister. Among other things, Alex Hawke’s decision centered around Djokovic’s unwillingness to get the COVID-19 vaccine and how his profile Down Under could inspire an uprise in anti-vaccination sentiment.

Speaking to the BBC in his first interview since being sent home, Djokovic declared missing the sport’s biggest events, such as Roland Garros and Wimbledon, “is the price that I'm willing to pay” in order to avoid compliance with any tournament requiring mandatory vaccination for participation.

“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 said.