Novak Djokovic’s rivals are reacting to the latest twists in his fight to compete in the Australian Open with a mix of sympathy and …
Novak Djokovic’s rivals are reacting to the latest twists in his fight to compete in the Australian Open with a mix of sympathy and a desire for a final resolution, to put the focus back on the Grand Slam tournament. Earlier this week, Djokovic said he was « pleased and grateful » that a judge overturned his visa cancellation week. But on Friday, Australia’s immigration minister again revoked the visa. Djokovic is slated to once again be detained on Saturday, awaiting the results of a court hearing on Sunday. Even players who previously said Djokovic should have simply followed the rules — and either gotten vaccinated or skip the tournament — now say they don’t like how the dispute is playing out. They cite Djokovic’s forced stay in a quarantine hotel, and the confusion and distraction from the Australian Open, which opens the Grand Slam season. Here’s a recap of what some of the top players said this week: Rafael Nadal, who like Djokovic currently has 20 Grand Slam wins, said Monday, « Regardless of whether or not I agree on some things with Djokovic, without any doubt, justice has spoken. » The Spanish star was quoted speaking to Spanish radio after a judge cleared Djokovic to remain in Melbourne, before his visa was revoked again. « They have said he has the right to play in the Australian Open and I really believe that is the fairest thing if the issue has been resolved, which seems to be the case, » Nadal said. Like many other tennis pros, Nadal had previously said the requirements for athletes who want to play in Australia were clear. « He made his own decisions, and everybody is free to take their own decisions, but then there are some consequences, » Nadal was quoted saying last week.
