Despite his deportation from Australia amid a row over his vaccine status costing him the chance of a 21st Grand Slam title, tennis star Novak Djokovic says he would rather miss out on future trophies than be forced into a Covid jab. The unvaccinated 34-year-old Serb has been in the news as much for his off-the-field stance on vaccination as for his on-court brilliance in recent months. But in an exclusive interview, he tells us he should not be associated with the anti-vax movement. Rather, the world number one says he supports an individual's right to choose. 

Djokovic has more Australian Open titles than anyone and arrived in the country last month hoping another Grand Slam victory would elevate him above Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer as the most successful player of all time. Instead, both title and accolade went to Nadal. While Djokovic had obtained a medical exemption to enter, saying he had recently recovered from Covid-19, he points out that Australia cancelled his visa on grounds his presence could incite "civil unrest" and encourage anti-vaccine sentiment. Now, asked whether he would sacrifice taking part in Wimbledon or the French Open over his stance, he tells us: "Yes, that is the price that I'm willing to pay." Even so, he insists he's not against vaccination and is keeping his mind open on accepting a Covid jab. Read the full report. 
 

• Watch: I'm not above the rules - Djokovic
• Read: The twists and turns of Djokovic’s Australia mess

While more than a dozen nations have already warned citizens to leave Ukraine, warning of imminent military action by Russia, Prime Minister Boris Johnson and US President Joe Biden say hope of averting war remains. During a 40-minute call, the leaders agreed a "crucial window" for diplomacy remained open, while stressing "any further incursion into Ukraine would result in a protracted crisis for Russia", a Downing Street statement says. Meanwhile, Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has suggested ramping up talks, saying the possibilities are "far from exhausted". Russia denies plans to invade Ukraine, despite massing more than 100,000 troops on the border. However, the Kremlin continues to demand international defence alliance Nato rules out admitting Ukraine.

London's Metropolitan Police has found itself under close scrutiny, in the wake of a report identifying misogyny, racism and bullying in the force which ultimately cost Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick her job. Now, two black officers tell BBC Two's Newsnight discrimination is getting worse. One describes a supervisor using a racist slur against him, while another says senior leaders have suggested black people are not clever enough for the Met. The claims have prompted Deputy Assistant Commissioner Bas Javid to admit some officers "have racist views and are racist". But Mr Javid, who's responsible for professional standards, denies the Met is a racist organisation and says he will do everything to have racists removed from the force. The officers, however, tell Newsnight nothing will change without fresh leadership.

Most papers lead with the situation in Ukraine, with the i saying residents of Kyiv are preparing air-raid shelters, and that up to a million refugees are expected if Russia invades. The Guardian quotes Prime Minister Boris Johnson saying Moscow's build-up of forces near the border is "very, very dangerous". However, the Financial Times says a hint by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov of a "way forward" has lifted hopes of averting a war. The Times, too, says Mr Johnson insists "diplomacy can still save Ukraine", while the Daily Telegraph has him and US President Joe Biden declaring the "window for peace" remains open. The Daily Express, though, interprets this as a "final warning", while the Daily Mirror also says it's the "last chance" to stop war.

You might have heard about Simon Hunt - the man who found a human leg bone when he was rowing on the River Thames in west London. He tells us what went through his mind when he saw it - and when he found out exactly how old it was. And speaking of little pieces of history, a much more recent - if no less awe-inspiring - item is going on display, in the form of a notebook that belonged to The Beatles' tour manager Mal Evans. It features Sir Paul McCartney's handwritten lyrics to Hey Jude, along with poetry and doodles by the music legend, and is to be shown off at The Beatles Story in Liverpool.

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