Novak Djokovic has said that he is prepared to sacrifice his tennis career and the chance to become the most successful player of all time rather than be forced to be vaccinated against Covid-19.

In an interview with BBC, the men’s world No. 1 tennis player insisted he was not part of the anti-vaccine movement, but said that his right to choose was more important to him than being allowed to compete in the French Open, Wimbledon or other future major tournaments.

Speaking from Belgrade, Djokovic, 34, confirmed he was unvaccinated.

However, he said the principle of choice over what he puts into his body was more important to him than being able to continue his top-flight career.

“I was never against vaccination,” Djokovic said. “I understand that globally, everyone is trying to put a big effort into handling this virus and seeing, hopefully, an end soon to this virus. But I’ve always supported the freedom to choose what you put in your body... I have never said I was a part of that (anti-vaccine) movement.”

Asked if he was willing to miss future tournaments and the chance to become the greatest player in history, ranked by grand slams, he added: “Yes, that is a price I’m willing to pay.”

Asked why, he added: “Because the principles of decision-making on my body are more important than any title or anything else.”

Djokovic, however, did not fully rule out the possibility of him changing his mind. “I keep my mind open,” he said.

He was deported from Australia last month before the Australian Open. The championship was won by Rafael Nadal, who drew ahead of Djokovic and Roger Federer to become the most successful men’s singles player in the history of the game.

Djokovic denied that he was aware of any attempts to tamper with his Covid-19 tests in December, after research by BBC and Der Spiegel news site cast doubt on the timing of the positive result used to justify his medical exemption from a vaccine.

“I was ready not to go to Australia,” Djokovic said. “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 (that he contracted Covid-19 to become eligible for an exemption).

“But no one is lucky of getting Covid-19… I really don’t like someone thinking I’ve misused something or in my own favour, in order to, you know, get a positive PCR test and eventually go to Australia.

“I was really sad and disappointed with the way it all ended for me in Australia. It wasn’t easy.”

In April 2020, well before Covid-19 vaccines were available, Djokovic said he was “opposed to vaccination”.

In the latest interview he tried to clarify his position. “I understand and support fully the freedom to choose whether you get vaccinated or not,” he told BBC. “I have not spoken about this before and I have not disclosed my medical record as I have a right to keep that private and discreet. But as I see there are a lot of wrong conclusions and assumptions out there.

“I think it’s important to speak up about that and justify certain things.”

Djokovic said he had “always been a great student of wellness, well-being, health, nutrition,” and that his decision had been partly influenced by the positive impact that factors such as changing his diet and his sleeping patterns, had had on his abilities as an athlete.

Djokovic is a deeply committed libertarian who believes strongly in individual autonomy.

(Written with inputs from The Times, London, and agencies)