Novak Djokovic says he will opt out of future Grand Slams with COVID-19 vaccine mandates

In his first interview since being deported from Australia last month, Novak Djokovic reiterated his stance on not getting vaccinated against COVID-19 and said he would opt out of playing in future majors that would require him getting inoculated.

«Yes, that is the price that I'm willing to pay,» Djokovic told the BCC in a story published early Tuesday morning.

Djokovic, the No. 1 player in the world, was at the center of a global media storm and international legal battle in January after receiving a medical exemption to play in the Australian Open and then having his visa revoked by the Australian government. Ultimately he was forced to leave the country and was unable to defend his title at the year's first Grand Slam.

The 34-year-old told the BBC he isn't against vaccinations but believes in personal choice. He said that is more important than potentially winning his 21st major trophy.

«Because the principles of decision making on my body are more important than any title or anything else,» Djokovic said. «I'm trying to be in tune with my body as much as I possibly can.»

Rafael Nadal won the Australian Open title in Djokovic's absence, and broke the tie he held with Djokovic and Roger Federer for most major titles by a male player.

In his documentation for a medical exemption, Djokovic had claimed to have had the virus in December but the timeline of infection raised suspicions. He addressed the doubts towards his claims in the interview.

«I understand that there is a lot of criticism, and I understand that people come out with different theories on how lucky I was or how convenient it is,» Djokovic said. «But no one is lucky and convenient of getting COVID. Millions of people have and are still struggling with COVID