Rafael Nadal is all set to make a strong comeback. The Spanish player suffered an injury after the Roland Garros Open in France. Since then, he has been out of court. The former world number 1 player missed the US Open and the Tokyo Olympics 2020 due to the same injury.
But now, as the reports say, he will make his debut at the World Tennis Championships in Abu Dhabi to strengthen his preparation ahead of the Australian Open. Also, Tennis Australia has announced that in order to participate in the upcoming Australian Open, the players must have both doses of the vaccines.
Novak Djokovic has refused to clear up his situation surrounding vaccines. It now seems that the Serbian player could miss out on the Australian Open next year. Daniil Medvedev also confirmed that he will be playing in the Australian Open. With chances that Novak Djokovic might not play, Rafael Nadal could have a brilliant opportunity to leave a mark in the upcoming Australia Open.
Both Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic are tied at 20 Grand Slams each. The tournament will thus provide a golden opportunity for Rafael Nadal to win his 21st grand slam. Following the uncertainties surrounding Novak Djokovic, Andy Roddick commented that Dannil Medvedev and Zverev could be the ones to look out for.
“We don’t know what’s going to happen with Australia. Nobody knows except Novak what he’s going to do and if he’s going to play the game the way it has to be played to participate in Australia. “If he doesn’t, opportunity’s knocking for Medvedev, Zverev, Rafa’s going to be foaming at the mouth to get there and get to that 21st Slam so these other guys, they have to play their tournament either way,” said Roddick about Novak’s exemption from the tournament.
Confirmed. Unvaccinated players cannot participate in the 2022 Australian Open.
— Stuart Fraser (@stu_fraser) November 19, 2021
Similarly, Jim Courier also commented on the situation saying, “Anyone who wants to get in and work in Australia has to be vaccinated and he (Djokovic) gets that he can’t get that normal top player exemption which in most things happens for him and for all the other top players.
“This is a real crossroads (dilemma) for him because when you factor in what Andy [Roddick] said about Rafa [Nadal] jumping at the bit to get to 21 [Grand Slams] first that would also give Rafa if he was able to stay healthy and play in Australia, all of the Majors at least twice. Something Novak has done at least as well. “There is a lot at stake here in the cannons of tennis history and this is a really fascinating wrinkle (facet) to it.” continued Courier.