Novak Djokovic and 5 other athletes who refused the Covid-19 vaccine – from NFL quarterback Aaron Rodgers to NBA player Kyrie Irving and golfer Bryson DeChambeau

Jan 10 , 2022

Aaron Rodgers, Novak Djokovic and Kyrie Irving are all famous athletes who opted not to take the Covid-19 vaccine. Photos: @aaronrodgers12, @djokernole, @kyrieirving/Instagram

Though many sports celebrities like LeBron James, Serena Williams and Tom Brady got jabbed, some stars have chosen not to get vaccinated

Czech tennis player Renata Voráčová claimed a vaccine exemption ahead of the Australian Open tournament and was detained in the same Melbourne hotel as Djokovic

As the Covid-19 pandemic rages on, many major sports events are at risk of being cancelled. Most recently, a controversy involving tennis sensation Novak Djokovic has caused quite a stir. After arriving in Australia on January 5 for the Australian Open, he was held at an immigration detention centre over his vaccination status. Although his visa was initially cancelled, the top athlete and vaccine sceptic has now won his court battle.

The case has thrown a spotlight on the vaccination choices of high-profile athletes across the world. Though many have been vaccinated, like LeBron James, Serena Williams and Tom Brady, there are some who have refused to get jabbed for a variety of reasons.

Though scientists have largely agreed on the efficacy of vaccines against the virus, here’s a list of athletes who are not vaccinated:

1. The world’s No 1 tennis player, Novak Djokovic

Novak Djokovic was denied entry into Australia due to his vaccine status. Photo: @djokernole/Instagram

The nine-time Australian Open champion has made headlines in the past few days – not for setting another world record this time, but for stirring up a public debate about vaccines.

The tennis star’s visa was cancelled over his Covid-19 vaccine status last week, and he was denied entry into Australia. He said he was granted a medical exemption to the vaccine.

Although Djokovic has not publicised his vaccination status, he’s been vocal about his resistance to jabs in the past. In May 2021, the tennis star said he hoped vaccines would not become mandatory for players to compete at tournaments. “I don’t think it’ll come to that. I hope not, because I’ve always believed in freedom of choice,” he said, according to 9news.com.au.

“And I will keep the decision as to whether I’m going to get vaccinated or not to myself,” he added.

2. Czech tennis player Renata Voráčová

Czech tennis player Renata Voráčová was detained over a Covid-19 vaccine issue in the same hotel as Novak Djokovic. Photo: AFP

Sharing the same fate as Djokovic, the world No 81 tennis doubles player, Renata Voráčová, was also detained at the same immigration hotel in Melbourne last week. The Czech tennis player was initially allowed into the country and even played a match, but her visa was later cancelled, reports SBS News.

The 38-year star said she isn’t against vaccines, but just didn’t have enough time to get jabbed before flying out for the Australian Open tournament, which began on January 9. Voráčová also claimed a vaccine exemption, saying she had contracted Covid-19 before Christmas, according to DW. She left Australia after her visa was cancelled.