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star was quoted speaking to Spanish radio after a judge cleared Djokovic to remain in Melbourne, before his visa was revoked again.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. «Of course, I don’t like the situation that is happening.
