This could have been avoided by getting vaccinated: Tennis stars react to Novak Djokovic saga
While the players are making their final preparations for the Australian Open met, all questions revolved around the 20-time Grand Slam winner.
“I think we all want to keep going, whatever it is, keep going and focus on the cool aspect of starting a Slam,” two-time Grand Slam champion Garbine Muguruza said during a media day.
“I think all of this could have been avoided, as we all did, by getting vaccinated and doing all the things we needed to do to be here in Australia.
“Everyone knew the rules very well. You just have to follow them and that’s it. I don’t think it’s that difficult.”
Muguruza, who reached the Australian Open final in 2020, fears the ongoing controversy will have a negative impact on the sport’s reputation.
Djokovic is currently being held by Australian authorities ahead of a court hearing on Sunday into his stay in the country.
Australian Immigration Minister Alex Hawke revoked the unvaccinated tennis champion’s visa for a second time on Friday, saying his presence in Australia could lead to a “surge in anti-vaccination sentiment” and even spark “civil unrest.”
“I don’t think this would help the tennis world or the players because in the end it’s always a small conflict,” Muguruza added.
“It’s difficult enough organizing the tournaments and the WTA and ATP circuit when you go country by country, and then producing all this news, it’s quite a lot.”
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‘An unfortunate situation’
Should Djokovic manage to compete in this year’s tournament, he would have the chance to win his record-breaking 21st men’s Grand Slam title.
He currently shares this record with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, but the latter says the tournament will be a success even if the Serb cannot compete.
“I’ll tell you one thing: it’s very clear that Novak Djokovic is one of the best players in history, without a doubt,” Nadal told reporters. “But there’s no player in history more important than an event, right?
“The Australian Open is much more important than any one player. If he finally plays, okay. If he doesn’t play, the Australian Open will be a great tournament with or without him. That’s my point of view.”
Djokovic has thanked those who have supported him throughout, but there are some who question whether this situation tarnish his legacy becomes.
Australian Open defending champion Naomi Osaka said she was saddened by what she saw. “I think it’s an unfortunate situation,” she told reporters.
“He’s such a great player and it’s kind of sad that some people remember him that way.
“But I also think it’s not the fault of the tennis players, it’s the government’s fault how Australia deals with it.”
It’s their rules
World No. 2 Daniil Medvedev ended Djokovic’s bid to achieve a calendar Grand Slam – winning all four majors in the same calendar year – in 2021 when the Russian won the US Open final against the Serb.
The two could meet again in the Australian Open final this year if both get that far, but Medvedev says the country’s rules must be followed.
“I would like to say about Novak’s situation that we are in Australia and the rules apply there,” he told reporters.
“But as far as I know, he should play if he has a valid exemption to be in this country and do what he wants.
“If the exemption is not valid or something else is not valid, then any country can refuse entry.
The Australian Open begins on Monday, but whether Djokovic is in the draw has yet to be decided by a court.
CNN’s Jill Martin reported on it.
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Those: edition.cnn.com
2023-12-27 16:57:41
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