Djokovic Unsilenced

Novak reveals all in BBC interview

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UPDATE - In response to the interview, Sajid Javid, the health secretary said “Mr Djokovic thinks its ok for spectators to take the vaccine that allows him to get back to play the sport in front of them and earn millions…but the vaccine is not ok for him”. Oh dear.

After weeks of silence, Novak Djokovic took part in a BBC interview last night to share his side of the story. He could have done this interview on a supportive, Serbian TV channel but instead chose the pro-everyone-get-vaccinated BBC, again showing some guts on his part.

For those of you who missed it or for those of you not in the UK, the key take-outs are below.

On the Australian Open

• Djokovic decided to stay silent, up until now, due to the legal processes at the time, to reflect on what had happened and to respect his colleagues, tennis and the Australian Open;

• He was sad about what happened in Australia and found it difficult following all the media coverage. Furthermore, he was disappointed that he was deported from Australia because the minister thought his decision may influence young and impressionable people not to get vaccinated;

• Novak didn’t want to complain about the detention centre because he was there for 7 days and some people have been there for years but it wasn’t pleasant;

• He felt powerless because he was kept awake from 1am to 9am, had his phone taken away and was questioned every 30 minutes. When he was released, his training was interrupted and he was getting bad vibes from colleagues and staff making him uncomfortable.

• Djokovic understands the frustrations the Australian people have towards him, due to their severe lockdowns and the coverage in the press but insists he always follows the rules;

• He followed the same rules as everyone else and when there was the chance of a medical exemption, he got a PCR test, had sufficient antibodies and it was approved by two independent Australian panels (anonymously - his name was not on the application);

• There were approximately 25 medical exemptions reviewed and accepted;

• Before attending a photographed event, in December, with children in Belgrade, he had taken a lateral flow test and it was negative. He also hadn’t received the result of his PCR test (which he had taken the day before) at that time;

• Novak’s team contacted the families at the photo-op to inform them that he had since tested positive;

• Whilst attending the event he was asymptomatic and felt fine;

• He admitted poor judgment of error when he conducted an interview, the day after the photo shoot, after knowing his PCR test was positive;

• Djokovic thinks it was around the second week of December when he was first made aware of the medical exemption to get into Australia. He and his team received a circular email that told players about it;

• The false travel declaration (that he hadn’t been in any other country, when he had been to Spain) was a human error made by his agent and didn’t influence his deportation from Australia;

On Vaccines

• He has not been vaccinated for COVID-19 and has not disclosed this up until now because he has the right to keep that private and discreet;

• He has never been against vaccination but has always supported the freedom to choose what you put into your body. It is the principle of understanding what is right and wrong for an individual and for him, as a professional athlete, he carefully reviews and assesses everything from supplements, food, sports drinks and water. He takes it very seriously and that’s what has allowed him to tour for over 20 years;

• Based on all the information that he received, he decided not to take the vaccine. There is not enough clarity on how the vaccine will affect him and his game;

• He doesn’t doubt that the vaccine works against COVID-19, its the other effects that concern him;

• Novak understands the consequences of his decision, one of which was not being allowed in Australia and he was prepared not to go. He’s unable to travel to most of the tournaments at the moment and that’s the price he is willing to pay. He’s willing to miss the French Open and Wimbledon because taking care of his body is the highest priority and that’s the key to longevity. Ultimately, he’s willing to forego the opportunity to be the greatest ever tennis player because he feels so strongly about this;

• Djokovic doesn’t have anything against vaccines in general, he has had a lot of them as a child, but currently there is not enough information about the Covid vaccine;

• Being brought up during two wars and having to be self-reliant whilst touring at an early age gave him his strong character and ability to hold his ground;

• Nobody has ever asked him his opinion on vaccines (neither during the legal process or outside of it) so there is no basis to accuse him of being an anti-vaxxer.

Well done Novak!