Oviri Kelvin, Sports Editor, Abuja
World number 5 tennis player, Rafa Nadal said would be elated if Novak Djokovic is permitted (in line with the host nation covid19 rules) to be at the Grand Slam due to his refusal to be vaccinated against Covid19.
Djokovic, who was recently denied entry into Australia to compete with other tennis professional players in the Australian Open, may consider playing in the Grand Slam in the Mexico Open.
Nadal being concerned about the Serbian’s absence from the tennis tournament is hopeful the world number 1 would make it to the Mexican Open which is subjected to his covid19 vaccination’s status.
According to the Spaniard, everyone is entitled to bear the brunt of a personal decision with Djokovic, not an exception.
However, Nadal admitted that there have been improvements in the fight against the pandemic which resultantly, have quelled the death rates.
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Furthermore, Nadal, unconcerned about the vaccinated status of Djokovic, wishes to see him play in Grand Slams.
Nadal said, “It will affect his legacy if he can play or not,” Nadal said ahead of the Mexican Open. “I don’t know if it will affect the Grand Slam.
“Everyone makes their own decisions and must live with them. In this sense, hopefully, the pandemic improves in every way and there are no more deaths.
“Whether he is vaccinated or not, the good thing would be for Novak to play again. If Djokovic can play the Grand Slams without being vaccinated, he is welcome,” he added.
Nadal won the recent Australian Open, having defeated Daniil Medvedev to claim his 21 Grand Slams men’s single open title.
