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Novak Djokovic dubbed 'disgrace' for saying he'd sacrifice trophies to avoid getting vaxxed

Novak Djokovic reportedly said he is not against vaccination but is ready to sacrifice trophies if he is asked to get vaccinated

Novak Djokovic recently spoke to BBC News about his opinions on getting vaccinated which have lately been the topic of controversial discussion among fans across the world. In an exclusive interview with BBC News, Djokovic said that he did not associate himself with the anti-vaccination movement but believes that people should still be given the freedom to choose whether or not they want to get the jab. 

Reporters asked Djokovic if he was willing to give up participating in competitions such as the Wimbledon and French Open over his opinions on vaccinations, to which the tennis player replied, "Yes, that is the price that I'm willing to pay." The 20-time Grand Slam winner has been the subject of talk and recipient of negative reactions after he was deported from Australia last month due to his vaccination status. 

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The government of Australia had canceled the player's visa because he had not been vaccinated. The country's immigration minister Alex Hawke said the decision was made on the grounds that his presence would encourage and cause 'civil unrest' in the nation and might become a symbol of support for anti-vaxxers. 

"I was never against vaccination," he told the BBC," but I've always supported the freedom to choose what you put in your body." He also told BBC that he had been vaccinated several times when he was a child but does not want to get it anymore. Most fans across the world have refused to support the player on this one and have taken to social media to let him know that his ignorance will not be condoned by people.

Carl Anka said in a recent tweet that Djokovic has been confusing his freedom when it comes to the topic of vaccines. "Novak understands that Freedom to not take the jab should not give him Freedom from Consequence. But he's trying to use his Individual Freedom To not take the jab to also give him Freedom From taking responsibility for the Collective," he wrote in the tweet. 

Lucy Tobin tweeted that Djokovik praises the global impact of the vaccines, but somehow thinks that getting vaccinated should be an option. "Djokovic has no explanation about how he is opposed to the vaccine but is not an anti-vaxxer. He’s being promoted, barely challenged. He praises the global impact of vaccines - but thinks it’s up to ‘everyone else’ to have them. He’s a disgrace & BBC should limit his airtime," she said

Fans think that Djovokic's absence is 'good riddance' and also had a lot to say on social media about his stance on vaccines. "So Novak's stance on wellness, health and well-being is just about the self? Nothing on doing something for public health and the public good? No one lives in a bubble," one fan said. 

One fan also pointed out that the star player might not get lucky every time in the heat of the Covid waves. "Just because he was lucky enough to make it through two Covid infections doesn't mean his family will be as lucky as he was, especially the elderly. Getting a shot can reduce the risk for all, but still he doesn't want to be part of it," said the fan.