"I wish his vaccine stance was different" says Bill Gates on Novak Djokovic

Tuesday, 10 May 2022 at 03:45

Updated at Friday, 22 November 2024 at 19:53

Djokovic Novak Wimbledon2022 MartinSidorjak22

byZachary Wimer

Bill Gates is a huge advocate for vaccination and a huge tennis fan, and he was saddened to see Novak Djokovic’s stance on the vaccine.

Gates is most notably known as one of the richest people in the world for the past few decades. The American led the Microsoft empire for much of his life, even though that endeavor has taken a backseat in recent years as he dedicated himself to his other passion—philanthropy.

Gates is a huge advocate for several causes, vaccination being one of those. He has been at the forefront, calling for more investment and dedication towards that in hopes of eradicating some diseases that continue to plague the globe.

COVID-19 has been one of those in recent times, and while the vaccine is available, many people aren’t in favor of receiving one. Djokovic famously rejected taking the vaccine even if it meant that his career would take a legacy hit since it directly hindered his chances of winning more majors.

He did, however, come out to say that he’s not against vaccines categorically but rather for bodily autonomy, which he takes very seriously as an athlete. He doesn’t like to be told what to put in his body.

Gates, as a notable tennis fan who has had a chance to cooperate with the likes of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal for charitable causes in the past, expressed disappointment about Djokovic’s stance, admitting that he’d wish it was different.

"If they're an inspirational and trusted person, you know, then, they're spreading that, it just makes it tougher to get the vaccination levels that we really need. So, I admire him in a lot of ways, but I wish his views on vaccine weren't that way."

"Being vaccinated helps the community that you're in. They're not perfect at blocking infection, but they do reduce infection, and so it is unfortunate that someone's health concerns are so extreme that they cannot participate in that community protection."

Gates is not the only one who expressed similar sentiments, but Djokovic has been very firm in his stance. It likely will not change, and he’ll keep advocating for the right to choose to vaccinate or not.