“You should have the freedom to choose, to decide what you want to do. In this particular case, what you want to put in your body”
Novak Djokovic has reiterated his stance on the Covid-19 vaccine, insisting that people “should have the freedom to choose” if they take it or not.
Government officials in the state of Victoria, Melbourne, have publicly stated that they will not allow unvaccinated players to compete in the Australian Open.
The Premier of Victoria, Daniel Andrews, said in a conference: “On behalf of every vaccinated Victorian who has done the right thing, my government will not be applying for an exemption for any unvaccinated player.
“If we don’t apply for an exemption, then no exemption will be granted and then the whole issue is basically resolved.”
Djokovic’s comments come after fellow tennis player Nick Kyrgios stated that the upcoming Grand Slam in January should allow unvaccinated players to play, before quickly backtracking by saying that it wouldn’t be “morally right” to allow those who haven’t been vaccinated to compete.
It is unclear as to whether or not the world number one is vaccinated, with the Serbian refusing to disclose if he is or not.
Last month, he also admitted that he wasn’t sure if he would defend his title.
However, Djokovic did make it clear that he supported Kyrgios’ original comments as he spoke to reporters in Turin at the ATP finals, where he reached the semi-finals on Wednesday with a win over Russian, Andrey Rublev.
“That was unexpected knowing what was coming from him towards me in the last couple of years,” he said.
“But this time I must agree with him that the freedom of choice is essential for everyone, whether it’s me or somebody else.
“Doesn’t really matter whether it’s vaccination or anything else in life. You should have the freedom to choose, to decide what you want to do. In this particular case, what you want to put in your body.
“I have been always a proponent of that and always a supporter of freedom of choice, and I will be always supporting that because freedom is essential for I’d say a happy and prosperous life.”
Related links:
- Nick Kyrgios backtracks on comments that Australian Open should be cancelled due to unvaccinated players
- Novak Djokovic describes Chinese player Peng Shuai’s disappearance as ‘shocking’
- Naomi Osaka ‘shocked’ that Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai has gone missing
