Yunus Kaymaz
06 January 2022•Update: 06 January 2022
ISTANBUL
Spanish tennis star Rafael Nadal said on Thursday that Serbian top seed Novak Djokovic would be playing in 2022 Australian Open if "without a problem" if he had wanted to.
Earlier Thursday, nine-time Australian Open champion Djokovic's visa was canceled by Australia for failing to meet the COVID-19 entry requirements.
Nadal, 35, said that he was "sorry" for Djokovic, but the Serbian national knew the risks because of his choice.
"I think if he wanted, he would be playing here in Australia without a problem," Nadal said during a warm-up tournament in Melbourne.
"He made his own decisions, and everybody is free to make their own decisions, but then there are some consequences.
"Of course, I don't like the situation that is happening. In some way, I feel sorry for him. But at the same time, he knew the conditions a lot of months ago, so he makes his own decision," Nadal said.
Djokovic, 34, is still refusing to reveal whether he is vaccinated against coronavirus.
On Tuesday, Djokovic said on Instagram that he was granted a medical exemption from having a coronavirus vaccination to take place at the Australian Open.
Australian Open chief Craig Tiley previously said that all participants, including players at the tournament, should be vaccinated against coronavirus or receive a medical exemption from an independent panel of experts.
The Australian premier also confirmed the visa revocation of Djokovic.
"Mr. Djokovic's visa has been canceled. Rules are rules, especially when it comes to our borders. No one is above these rules. Our strong border policies have been critical to Australia having one of the lowest death rates in the world from COVID. We are continuing to be vigilant," Scott Morrison said on Twitter.
After Australia had revoked his visa, Djokovic was first quizzed by the Border Force, and then he was taken to a Melbourne quarantine hotel that housing refugees and asylum-seekers.
The 2022 Australian Open – the first Grand Slam of the year – will be held between Jan. 17-30 in Melbourne.
Djokovic won the Australian Open in 2008, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2020 and 2021.
