Djokovic culpable for ‘mess’ – Nadal

By Updates

January 17, 2022

Updates

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The world number one is partly to blame for his visa saga, his fellow great has reportedly said

Australian Open contender Rafael Nadal has discussed “justice” after Novak Djokovic was deported from Melbourne because he was not vaccinated against Covid, reportedly adding that his familiar rival is “one of the responsibles”.

Amid all the talk of pre-tournament favorite Djokovic winning a record-breaking 21st Grand Slam title, fellow tennis icon Nadal could now reach the same astonishing tally if he wins the Australian Open for only the second time in his outstanding career.

The Spaniard was relieved to return to court after a lengthy absence with a foot injury, and he is said to have admitted feeling some fatigue at being repeatedly asked for his views on Djokovic’s visa saga with border authorities and ultimate exile from the tournament he has won nine times.

“When he won the first trial [to avoid his visa being canceled] I said here that justice had spoken,” world number five Nadal was quoted as saying by Record after cruising past Marcus Giron in his opening match.

Match-win #70 at the Australian Open for @RafaelNadal 🙌

He starts his #AusOpen campaign with a 6-1 6-4 6-2 win over Giron.

🎥: @AustralianOpen | #AO2022 pic.twitter.com/o0Pu2oVU78

— ATP Tour (@atptour) January 17, 2022

Nadal asked about Djokovic again.

"By the way, I'm quite tired of that subject. When he won the first trial I said here that the justice had spoken. Yesterday the decision was different. I will never be against what the justice says".

— José Morgado (@josemorgado) January 17, 2022

“[Now] the decision [is] different. I will never be against what the justice says. What I believe would be better for the sport would be having all the best players here, including Djokovic. Another thing is what happened. I think the situation is very clear now.”

Australian Minister for Immigration Alex Hawke’s decision to cancel the top seed and reigning champion’s visa for a second time was upheld by a court a day before the tournament started, leaving frustrated Djokovic to take a flight to Dubai rather than defend his title.

Nadal, who has insisted that vaccination is the only way to end the pandemic, was again at pains to emphasize his respect for Djokovic, whose enforced absence has caused bookmakers to position the fifth seed as third-favorite to lift the trophy.

"Always had a good relationship with my rivals. Life is better that way. With Novak it's been like that all my life. I wish him all the best. The situation was a mess and he wasn't the only one who did things the wrong way. But he is one of the responsibles too".