Australian Open: “I will never be against what justice says”, says Nadal

“I will never be against what justice says,” Rafael Nadal said on Monday, although he says Novak Djokovic is not the only one to blame for the “mess” of the expulsion from Melbourne. Serbian, who darkened the debut of the Australian Open.

The Spaniard also assured that he would have preferred the defending champion to participate in the first Grand Slam tournament of the year.

The Serbian world number one left Australia on the eve of the tournament on Sunday after losing a long legal battle to get his visa reinstated after it was canceled due to not being vaccinated against coronavirus.

Djokovic won a first appeal but lost a decisive second hearing on Sunday, and Nadal said he was “tired” of talking about it.

“Almost a week ago, when he won in the first instance, he was able to get his visa back and was able to train. I said justice had spoken,” Nadal said after qualifying for the second round of the Australian Open.

“Yesterday, justice said something else. I will never be against what justice says,” said the world No.5.

After being detained upon arrival in Melbourne, the unvaccinated Djokovic spent five days in an immigration detention centre, before being released to train at Melbourne Park.

But he was then detained again before being ordered to leave the country.

“I think the situation has been a disaster,” Nadal said.

“He’s not the only one who did things that were probably bad in this case. Of course, there are other people responsible for this whole terrible situation that we’ve been dealing with for the past two weeks,” he said. he adds.

“But obviously he is one of those responsible,” said the Mallorcan.

Nadal benefits directly from Djokovic’s absence, with both players aiming to become the first man to win 21 Grand Slams.

“The ideal situation in the world of sport is for the best players to be on the pitch and playing the most important events, without a doubt,” said the 35-year-old.

As a result, the presence of his rival would have been “better for everyone”.