Reuters
Tennis – ATP Masters 1000 – Italian Open – Foro Italico, Rome, Italy – May 16, 2021 Spain’s Rafael Nadal shakes hands with Serbia’s Novak Djokovic after winning the final REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane
Reuters
Tennis – ATP Masters 1000 – Italian Open – Foro Italico, Rome, Italy – May 16, 2021 Spain’s Rafael Nadal shakes hands with Serbia’s Novak Djokovic after winning the final REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane
Even before the first match, the Australian Open has been making the headlines recently, albeit for all the wrong reasons. As soon as Novak Djokovic entered Australia to defend his title Down Under, a controversy embroiled.
The border authorities canceled the Serb’s visa and subsequently detained him. Then, Djokovic took a legal route and decided to challenge this in Australian Federal Courts. However, he lost the appeal yesterday after Australian Immigration Minister Alex Hawke decided to cancel his visa.
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This incident has invited widespread criticism in the way it was handled. Celebrities across the globe have expressed their opinions on this matter. His fellow players on the tour have spoken for and against him. Even former World Number 1 Rafael Nadal was recently asked to comment on this subject.
Rafael Nadal speaks on the controversy surrounding Novak Djokovic
Before the start of the Australian Open, the Spaniard was asked to express his views on this saga for a second time. The 35-year-old said that he was quite tired of that subject. He further went on to add, “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.”
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Tennis – ATP Masters 1000 – Paris Masters – Accor Arena, Paris, France – November 7, 2021 Serbia’s Novak Djokovic reacts during his final match against Russia’s Daniil Medvedev REUTERS/Christian Hartmann
Moreover, the 13-time French Open champion opined, “what I believe it would be better for the sport would be having all the best players here, including Djokovic. Another thing is what happened…”
DIVE DEEPER: World Number 10 Announces Sad News for Australian Open 2022
On asked about his relationship with fellow tennis players, Nadal said…
"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".
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) January 17, 2022
Rafael Nadal at the Australian Open 2022
The Spaniard began his quest for a record 21st Grand Slam title earlier today. He defeated Marcos Giron of the USA 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 in the opening round. He will next face qualifier Yannick Hanfmann of Germany.
WATCH THIS STORY: Nick Kyrgios Slams Rafael Nadal and Other Tennis Stars For Not Standing Up For Novak Djokovic
Can Rafael Nadal make history by winning his 21st Grand Slam title? Do let us know your views in the comments below.
