Novak Djokovic breaks his silence over being deported, his vaccination status and missing future titles
As Novak Djokovic awaited his fate with the courts, he was struggling with the treatment he was getting from his tennis colleagues thorughout the deportation debacle.
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Novak Djokovic says he was left feeling hurt by a sense of abandonment and disappointment from his fellow players as the deportation debacle played out in Australia.
Between his two court hearings in January, the world No 1 trained as normal ahead of the opening grand slam of the year, but with accusations he put people’s lives in danger and growing discontent from the public, he felt he was being ostracized unfairly.
“I had helicopters flying above every single training session that I had on Rod Laver Arena, cameras all over the place,” he told the BBC.
“Also, I felt that energy and that those looks from my colleagues and people that were in the tennis facility... that really hurt me a lot.
“And obviously, I understand that they had a perception that was based on what they were seeing from media reports. And I wasn’t going out in the media, because of what was previously said in respecting the legal process and respecting the Australian Open.
“But at that time, I really wanted to speak to everyone and give my explanation.”
In his first interview since being deported from Australia last month, Djokovic has said he is prepared to miss out on future grand slam titles instead of getting the Covid vaccine.
Almost a month to the day since he was kicked out of the country following a row over his vaccination status, Djokovic says fewer trophies “is the price he is willing to pay” as he stands by his anti-vax stance.
Djokovic is expected to be allowed to defend his Wimbledon title this summer despite his refusal to be vaccinated against Covid-19.
While Djokovic’s reluctance means it is likely that he will be unable to play some events over the coming months, leaving him at risk of losing his world No 1 ranking, The Times understands that he will be free to participate at Wimbledon.
WHAT GOT US TO THIS POINT?
Hours before the Australian Open got under way in January, Djokovic flew out of Australia after Immigration Minister Alex Hawke cancelled his visa for a second time.
Reasons for his deportation included concerns that Djokovic’s presence in Australia could undermine Australia’s Covid-19 response and cause “civil unrest”.
Speaking to the BBC, the world No.1 insisted he was not part of the anti-vax movement but believed in an individual’s right to choose.
“I was never against vaccination,” he said while adding that he was vaccinated as a child.
“But I’ve always supported the freedom to choose what you put in your body.
“I understand that globally, everyone is trying to put a big effort into handling this virus and seeing, hopefully, an end soon to this virus.”
Djokovic arrived in Australia with a medical exemption granted by government authorities on the basis that he had recently contracted Covid.
News he would be permitted to enter the country sparked significant outrage and backlash among the general public.
In the days after he arrived, questions were asked about the validity of the exemption as it emerged documents he had completed were incorrect and gave misleading information.
Information provided in his legal documents were in direct contradiction to his sworn affidavit.
Photos and evidence also emerged proving he had knowingly gone out in public, attended events and given interviews in person while Covid positive.
Asked about his experiences in Australia, Djokovic said: “I was really sad and disappointed with the way it all ended for me in Australia.
“It wasn’t easy.
“The visa declaration error was not deliberately made.
“It was accepted and confirmed by the Federal Court and the Minister himself in the Ministry for Immigration in Australia.
“So actually, what people probably don’t know is that I was not deported from Australia on the basis that I was not vaccinated, or I broke any rules or that I made an error in my visa declaration.
“All of that was actually approved and validated by the Federal Court of Australia and the Minister Immigration.
“The reason why I was deported from Australia was because the Minister Immigration used his discretion to cancel my visa based on his perception that I might create some anti-vax sentiment in the country or in the city, which I completely disagree with.”
BECOMING THE GOAT
Rafa Nadal went on to win the Australian Open which handed the Spaniard his 21st slam title and put him ahead of Djokovic and Roger Federer in the all-time list.
It remains to be seen if Djokovic will be permitted to play at the French and US Opens. When asked why he was prepared to forgo becoming the most successful male tennis player of all time, he said: “Because 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.
“It is the price I am willing to pay.”
DOUBTERS AND CRITICS
When images of Djokovic emerged showing him at events alongside children while he was Covid positive, his reputation was on life support.
The 34-year-old was not wearing a mask and appeared oblivious to any Covid measures.
“I understand [the anger], I really do,” he said
“I wanted to be there for the children. I know how much it means to them, for me to give them an award.”
Many have questioned whether he even had Covid. Conspiracy theorists have cast doubt on the validity of the digital PCR results and the ID numbers they carry.
“I understand why people think that, when you chronologically take all these things into consideration, feel like I have cheated or I’ve done something that that is not right.
“I always did the right thing. If I wanted to go to Spain and I didn’t want people to know, I wouldn’t be playing tennis in a public place.”
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