Djokovic and the vaccine: “I am not exclusive, everything is possible”

Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic granted an interview to the Serbian public television channel RTS on Thursday after breaking his silence last Tuesday on the BBC about the drama he experienced in Australia, where he finally could not play in the Australian Open after being deported from the country. These are some of Djokovic’s most outstanding phrases during the interview.

How he experienced the final of the Australian Open from home: “I didn’t want to watch the Australian Open final, but I watched it with my wife and son. I didn’t watch the whole match. I didn’t support Rafa or Medvedev because I wanted to play the final and not watch it on TV.”

Medvedev’s message after the Australian Open final: “Medvedev is a great guy who I have always had a good relationship with. I helped him a lot when he was a junior and we trained a lot then. Once we flew to the Davis Cup and I offered him to come with me, and he still appreciates him even though we are great rivals. . He wrote to me 45 minutes after the final in Australia, and that surprised me. I congratulated him on a great battle. I saw myself in Medvedev because I am like that too.”

The support of the Serbs in Australia: “I felt the prayers and a lot of support. Unfortunately the window of my room did not face the main entrance of the hotel where our people were, but I listened to them and every day there were more. They gave me support, love and a lot of strength. I am still very grateful for him. support that came from Serbia and the Serbs living in Australia, One of the main reasons I want to go back to Australia is to personally thank them for asking for my freedom.

The interview with L’Équipe when he was positive for coronavirus: “The interview I gave to L’Équipe was a mistake. I greatly respect the journalist from L’Équipe who interviewed me and that’s why I decided to go. We postponed that interview for a while. I knew he was positive the day he came to Belgrade, I thought what I should do and finally went to the interview. I had the mask on all the time and respected the distance. I thought selfishly! I have no problem saying that I was wrong. I respect everyone and I know that we are different and that there is no sinless man. I don’t expect everyone to forgive me!”

Comparisons with Muhammad Ali: “I wouldn’t want to go through the same situation as Muhammad Ali and spend five years without competing. It’s hard to imagine five years without competing and then come back. But anything is possible.”

The missing title: “An Olympic medal, and more so if it’s gold, is my great wish, I don’t hide it. Unfortunately I couldn’t get it for Serbia in the last Olympic Games. I will work to be as prepared as possible and give my best in the Games of Paris. I want to compete in the Paris Olympics and represent Serbia.”

Restrictions in tournaments for not getting vaccinated: “I would like to play many tournaments, but at the moment I am in a situation that does not depend on me. It only depends on the rules of the countries that hold the tournaments. Right now I know that I can play in Dubai and that is my next challenge. Trained hard and of course I want to compete in the Grand Slams and in the big ATP tournaments. The rules are constantly changing, I am open-minded and do not exclude anything. I try to understand the situation of the pandemic and the fight against the virus like any citizen and also as a professional athlete. I triple check everything that goes into my body and how it affects me. In tennis, every change can produce positive or negative results and that is why I am careful and give myself time before making a decision. I will continue to compete in the countries that allow me. I am ready and eager to continue my career with the support of those around me.”

Possible vaccination: “I keep my mind open and I am not exclusive. Everything in life is possible. We will see how the situation evolves. Now I have decided not to get vaccinated and I am willing to accept the consequences. It is a decision that I have made consciously and I came to the conclusion that it was the best for me.”

Return to Australia: “I will only remember Melbourne for the beautiful things. I have lived great moments there. I have nothing against the people of Australia. The situation was unexpected and it is difficult for me to forget what happened, but I do want to return to Australia in the future” .

The PCR test: “I found out that a Barcelona basketball player tested positive and the next day I did the PCR. I learned the positive result after having been with the children that morning, despite the fact that in the antigen test I did before going with them it was negative and that’s why I went to see them. I was asymptomatic the whole time.”