Novak Djokovic ASTONISHINGLY reveals the BBC ‘eliminated’ many of his words that ‘weren’t convenient’ to them during the infamous ‘anti-vax’ interview
Novak Djokovic expressed his discontentment regarding how BBC eliminated many of his words which didn't suit their perspective.
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Novak Djokovic( Credits: BBC)
Novak Djokovic had to face many challenges after he openly refused to get vaccinated against COVID-19. During his interview with Corriere della Sera, the Serbian player accused the BBC of editing out his responses, which didn’t comply with their perspective.
The 35-year-old refused to get vaccinated after the worldwide drive for the preventive shot was carried out by every nation. His decision caused him various difficulties regarding his participation in the tournaments. In 2022, the tennis professional was barred and deported from Australia after the government canceled his visa on account of his vaccination status.
Later on, Djokovic was denied entry into the United States, which had firm policies about non-vaccinated individuals. He also applied to the US government for special entry, but his plea was rejected. With his inability to compete at two major Grand Slams, Djokovic faced a setback to his tennis career. During his recent interview with Corriere della Sera, Djokovic stated that the BBC ‘excluded’ many of his words, which they did not approve of. The Australian Open champion expressed his unhappiness about how the exclusive interview turned out.
“I am not no vax and I have never said in my life that I am. I’m not even pro vax. I am pro choice: I defend freedom of choice. It is a fundamental human right to be free to decide what things to inject into one’s body and what not. I explained it once to the BBC, on my return from Australia, but they eliminated many sentences, the ones that weren’t convenient. So I never spoke of this story again”, he said during his interview.
Djokovic talked about the false news that was circulated regarding his ‘no- vaccine’ stand. He also shared his experience about his detention period in Australia.
“I suffered everything on my skin. Many people have appreciated that I have remained consistent. 95 percent of what has been written and said on TV about me in the last three years is totally false”, he stated.
“A prison. I couldn’t open the window. I stayed less than a week, but I found young people, war refugees, who had been there for a very long time. My case has served to shed light on them, almost all of them have been released, and this consoles me. A young Syrian had been there for nine years”, Djokovic said
The Wimbledon champion further added that everyone just tried to make an example out of him and he was truly disappointed in media houses and his colleagues.
“But society has split. And I was placed in the middle, singled out as persona non grata. I found myself alone; but that time I felt like a sheep, surrounded by twenty wolves. And a man alone against the big media has no chance. I forget quickly, I’m focused on the positive things. I had Covid a second time. I’ve always accepted the rules, I couldn’t go to America and I didn’t go, I gave up two US Opens to stay consistent with myself. I didn’t speak, because I saw what I was saying being distorted. I went back to Australia and won. But I was disappointed. From the media and many colleagues”, Djokovic further added.
Djokovic has reached the quarter-finals at the Italian Open, after defeating Cameron Norrie in straight sets.
Novak Djokovic sheds light on his relationship with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal
Novak Djokovic has had many epic on-court battles with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. The ‘Big 3’ as they are referred to, took the sport of tennis to greater heights. On the question of his relationship with the two, Djokovic stated that there is nothing but respect for his biggest rivals. During his interview with Corriere della Sera, the 35-year-old said that he never shared a close bond with Federer, but admired him for his huge impact on tennis.
“We have never been friends, between rivals it is not possible; but we have never been enemies. I’ve always had respect for Federer, he was one of the greatest of all time. He had an extraordinary impact, but I’ve never been close to him”, he said.
Regarding his relationship with Nadal, the Serbian stated that they are on-court rivals and it’s difficult to maintain an off-court bond.
“No. Nadal is only a year older than me, we are both Geminis, at first we even went to dinner together, twice. But even with him friendship is impossible. I have always respected and greatly admired him. Thanks to him and Federer I grew up and became who I am. This will unite us forever; therefore I feel gratitude towards them. Nadal is a part of my life, in the last fifteen years I have seen more of him than my mother”, he added.
Djokovic reached the quarter-finals at the Banja Luka Open. However, his semi-final run was cut short after the brilliant performance of his compatriot, Dusan Lajovic.
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Tanushree Verma
(52 Articles Published)