Novak Djokovic insists he was 'never anti-vax' - despite refusing to get the coronavirus jab.
The Serb recently returned to the US Open for the first time since 2021, having been banned from competing last year due to his stance.
Djokovic won a 24th Grand Slam of his career on Sunday night, beating Daniil Medvedev in straight sets to reign supreme at the Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Now, in an interview with tennis icon John McEnroe, the 36-year-old has set the record straight when it comes to the jab.
Novak Djokovic has opened up on why he hasn't got the coronavirus vaccine
PA
Djokovic insists he was never 'anti-vax' and was merely 'pro-freedom' instead.
“I was never anti-vax," he said on ESPN after his US Open triumph.
“I was always pro-freedom to choose. And that’s something that we took really for granted.
“I didn’t feel like a lot of people had a choice really.”
Djokovic was also banned from the Australian Open in 2021 and said the punishment he received made him feel like a 'villain of the world'.
He continued: “I just wanted to compete and I wanted to play tennis, because that’s what I do best.”
Djokovic has previously explained his stance on the coronavirus vaccine by saying: "I was never against vaccination, but I've always supported the freedom to choose what you put in your body.
"The principles of decision making on my body are more important than any title or anything else.
"I'm trying to be in tune with my body as much as I possibly can."
Djokovic has travelled to Belgrade after conquering the United States for a fourth time.
The world No 1 was visibly touched by the fans that greeted him and the reception he received.
Djokovic has little left to prove, having established himself as arguably the greatest tennis player of all time.
And he made it clear after his victory at Flushing Meadows that he won't be retiring from the sport any time soon.
"I'm going to keep going. You know, I feel good in my own body," he said.
"I still feel I've got the support of my environment, of my team, of my family.
"The Grand Slams, I have said in the last few years, have been always the highest goal and the priority of mine in the whole season.
"I don't play as much in terms of other tournaments, so I try to prioritise my preparation so that I can peak in slams.
"These are the moments and these are the kind of emotions that I motivate myself with every single day when I'm not playing a tournament.
"Yeah, occasionally I ask myself 'why do I need this still at this stage after all I have done, you know? How long do I want to keep going?' I do have these questions in my head, of course.
"But knowing that I play at such a high level still, and I win the biggest tournaments in this sport, I don't want to leave this sport if I’m still at the top, you know, if I'm still playing the way I'm playing."
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Novak Djokovic was given a heroes welcome in Belgrade after winning a 24th Grand Slam title at the US Open
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He added: “Eventually one day I will leave tennis in about 23, 24 years.
“And there is going to be new young players coming up.
"Until then, I guess you’ll see me a bit more.”
