Tennis: Nadal Speaks About Djokovic’s Absence At US Open
Spanish tennis legend Rafael Nadal revealed it was sad news that his great rival Novak Djokovic will be missing from the US Open tournament, saying that the absence of a player of the Serbian’s calibre was an important miss for the hardcourt Grand Slam.
Djokovic, who won Wimbledon to take his major singles titles to 21, has opted not to be vaccinated against COVID-19. He said on Thursday he could not fly to New York for the year’s final Grand Slam.
Rules require travellers to show proof of vaccination to board flights to enter the United States.
“From my personal perspective, it’s very sad news,” Nadal, who leads the men’s Grand Slam race with 22 titles, said in an interview.
“It’s always a shame when the best players of the world are not able to play a tournament because of injuries or because of different reasons. In this case, not having one of the best players of the history in the draw of Grand Slam is always an important miss, no?”
Djokovic,35, was also unable to play the Australian Open at the start of the year after being deported from Melbourne over his COVID-19 vaccination status just ahead of the tournament.
Nadal, 36, said it was tough for both players and the fans as everyone want the best players to compete at big events.
“But on the other hand, I repeat what I said plenty of times: the sport in some ways is bigger than any player,” Nadal added.
“The tournament continues. Even if it’s not a good news for everyone, the world continues and tennis will continue after me, after Novak, after Roger (Federer).”
“Without a doubt, Novak is one of the most important players of the last 20 years, the history of our sport. In a personal way I feel sorry for him that he’s not able to travel here,” Nadal concluded.
Chidi Nwoke/Reuters.
