A lot has happened since Novak Djokovic came to Australia to take part in the Australian Open. From being detained to have his visa cancelled twice- the Serbian tennis player probably had to face events he would not have even thought to go through in his dreams.
And now Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal has opened up on this issue. The 35-year-old tennis player feels that the “Australian Open is much more important than any player” and the tennis event will still remain to be “great with or without him.”
“Australian Open is much more important than any player," Nadal told the reporters at the Melbourne Park.
"If he's playing finally, OK. If he's not playing, Australian Open will be great, with or without him. That's my point of view,” he added.
Previously, the official draw of the Open was delayed at short notice as it was not clear whether Djokovic will be able to take part in the tournament.
The background
Regarding the travel declaration that was submited by Djokovic’s support team received was criticized hugely and later the defending Australian Open champion said in an official statement there was a “human error” which caused an administrative mistake.
“On the issue of my travel declaration, this was submitted by my support team on my behalf – as I told immigration officials on my arrival - and my agent sincerely apologises for the administrative mistake in ticking the incorrect box about my previous travel before coming to Australia. This was a human error and certainly in a global pandemic and sometimes these mistakes can occur. Today, my team has provided additional information to the Australian Government to clarify this matter."
‘Tired’ Nadal
While talking about Djokovic and his tussle with the Australian Open, Nadal said that he does not “agree with a lot of things that he did the last couple of weeks.”
"I wish him all the best. I really respect him, even if I (do) not agree with a lot of things that he did the last couple of weeks," he said.
It is needless to say that this year’s Australian Open has been highly discussed because of the Djokovic issue and the Spaniard expressed that he is “tired” of the situation.
"Honestly, I'm little bit tired of the situation because I just believe that it's important to talk about our sport, about tennis," he said.
Djokiovic is scheduled to play against Miomir Kecmanovi in the first round of the Open.
