Rafael Nadal has called Novak Djokovic's COVID-19 vaccination controversy in Australia "a circus" and joked that he would prefer the world's No. 1 tennis player not play in the upcoming Australian Open.+
Djokovic was released from Australian immigration detention on Monday after winning a court challenge to remain in the country for a record 21st Grand Slam title at the Australian Open.
"Whether or not I agree with Djokovic on certain things, Justice has said and said that he has the right to participate in the Australian Open and I think it is the most appropriate decision to do so, if it is resolved that way." I wish them all the best." Nadal told Spanish radio Onda Cerro on Monday.
Djokovic, 34, was detained by officials at the border on Thursday after being denied entry into Australia for arriving without vaccination against COVID-19, in which he was medically denied vaccination requirements to play. The protests against the decision to grant the exemption were in the midst of a storm. Australian Open.
"On a personal level, I would wish he didn't play," Nadal laughed with the interviewer.
Nadal once again defended vaccination, saying, "It's sport, many interests revolve around it, at the general level, the economic, the advertising level. Everything is much better when the best sport can be."
"The world's most important institutions say a vaccine is the way to stop this pandemic and the disaster we've been living with for the past 20 months."