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Djokovic, who is unvaccinated, was barred from competing in this
year's Australian Open, depriving the 34-year-old Serbian of the
chance to become the most successful men's player of all time
with 21 Grand Slam titles.
He was instead deported from Australia after an 11-day
rollercoaster experience involving two visa cancellations, two
court challenges and five nights in two stints at an immigration
detention hotel where asylum seekers are held.
"I understand the consequences of my decision," Djokovic told
the BBC, adding that he was prepared not to travel to Australia
due to his unvaccinated status.
"I understand that not being vaccinated today, I am unable to
travel to most of the tournaments at the moment. Yes, that is
the price that I'm willing to pay."
A steely-eyed Djokovic said he hoped to compete for "many more
years" but added that the freedom to choose what he wants to put
into his body was more important to him than any title.
The Serbian, however, distanced himself from the
anti-vaccination movement and said he was keeping an open mind
about taking the jab.
"I was never against vaccination," he said, adding that he took
vaccines 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, who won Wimbledon and the French Open last year, is
set to return to competitive action at an ATP tournament in
Dubai next week for the first time since his deportation from
Melbourne ahead of the Australian Open.
Another win at Melbourne Park, where Djokovic has won nine
titles, would have statistically made him the most successful
men's player but instead it was his long-time rival Rafa Nadal
who nudged ahead of him by lifting the trophy last month.
The Serbian said he was ready to sacrifice his shot at the
milestone. Swiss Roger Federer, who is recuperating from
multiple knee surgeries, has also won 20 major titles.
MELBOURNE SAGA
Djokovic fuelled widespread anger in Australia when he was given
a medical exemption from mandatory COVID-19 vaccination to
compete at Melbourne Park on grounds that he recently contracted
the virus.
But he was detained by immigration authorities on arrival,
released by a court order and then detained again before being
deported.
The case stoked global debate and Australian Immigration
Minister Alex Hawke said Djokovic could be a threat to public
order in the country because his presence would encourage
anti-vaccination sentiment.
"I was really sad and disappointed with the way it all ended for
me in Australia," Djokovic said, adding that he was deported
despite following all rules. "It wasn't easy.
"The reason why I was deported from Australia was because the
Minister for 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."
(Reporting by Sudipto Ganguly in Mumbai; Editing by Clarence
Fernandez, Himani Sarkar and Ed Osmond)
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