Djokovic Breaks Silence On Vaccine: ‘I’m Not Anti-Vax, I’m Pro Freedom’

In an exclusive 60 Minutes interview, tennis legend Novak Djokovic opened up about his stance on vaccination, his mental fortitude, and his commitment to supporting lower-ranked players. Djokovic, who faced significant backlash for his unvaccinated status during the Australian Open 2022, spoke candidly about the experience.

“I was basically declared as a villain of the world,” he stated while reflecting on the intense global scrutiny and criticism he faced. Despite being granted an exemption to play, public outcry led to his deportation from Australia, a move that sparked international debate.

“Most of the world was against me. I had that kind of experience on the tennis court with with crowds that were not maybe cheering me on, but I never had this particular experience before in my life,” Djokovic said.

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Contrary to popular belief, Djokovic clarified he is not anti-vaccine but pro-freedom of choice. “It was not up to me to read anybody. I got the exemption; I got the permission to come into the country,” he asserted.

“I’m not anti-vax, no… I’m pro freedom to choose.”

Djokovic was involved in a significant controversy regarding his vaccination status against COVID-19. The situation unfolded around the Australian Open tennis tournament, one of the major events in the tennis calendar.

The drama centered on Djokovic’s decision not to get vaccinated and the subsequent issues he faced with Australian immigration authorities, which led to a legal battle over his eligibility to enter the country and compete in the tournament. The situation gained global attention.

The Australian government had announced that players were required to be vaccinated to enter the country. This led to Djokovic being deported from Australia just before the event, as he wasn’t vaccinated against COVID-19​​.

Similar to the Australian Open, Djokovic was unable to compete at the US Open in 2022 because of his vaccination status. He wasn’t allowed to enter the USA for the major at Flushing Meadows for the same reason.

However, in 2023, there was a change in the situation. Djokovic returned to compete in the Australian Open after the tumultuous events of the previous year. He expressed his emotions about returning to the court and receiving a positive reception from the audience. Djokovic mentioned that he felt he was unfairly portrayed as a “villain of the world” due to the media’s focus on his stance on the COVID vaccine.

He has since moved past these claims, focusing on his tennis and the positive experiences in Australia outweighing the negative ones from the previous year​. Beyond the court, Djokovic is known for his extraordinary philanthropy and support for his peers. Co-founding a Players Association, he seeks to alleviate the financial struggles of lower-ranked players. “I have plenty,” he says, overshadowed by his athletic prowess.

Returning to Serbia after his US Open victory, Djokovic was greeted by 20,000 fans, a testament to his immense popularity in his home country. Speculations about his future, including potential roles beyond tennis, are rife, however.