Tennis
Nadal tells Djokovic: It’s his decision, but then there are consequences. Only a vaccine can stop a pandemic
The first big sports case of 2022 is out in the world. Novak Djokovic flew to the Australian Open, but because he was not vaccinated, local authorities detained him and the Serb is now awaiting a decision on deportation. According to Rafael Nadal, every decision has consequences.
The first big sports case of 2022 is out in the world. Novak Djokovic flew to the Australian Open, but because he was not vaccinated, local authorities detained him and the Serb is now awaiting a decision on deportation. According to Rafael Nadal, every decision has consequences.
They have been competing on the tennis courts for many years, but in civilian life they get along without any problems. Djokovic and Nadal are two of the greatest icons in tennis, but their opinions are now dividing fans. And the coronavirus vaccine is to blame.
While Djokovic is an opponent and doesn’t want to hear about the vaccine, Nadal has supported the vaccine since the pandemic began. “From my point of view, I trust people who know more about medicine. And when they say you need to be vaccinated, you need to be vaccinated,” explains Nadal.
Djokovic is now in Melbourne waiting to see what happens to him. The authorities have taken away his visa and are keeping him in a hotel. He is likely to be deported as he cannot enter Australia without vaccinations. So the authorities see no reason why Djokovic should be granted an exemption because of his star name.
Rafael Nadal has logically not avoided questions about the situation surrounding Djokovic. “The world has suffered enough for the rules not to be followed,” explains Nadal.
“I didn’t convince anyone. Let everyone do what they feel is best for them. But there are some rules and when you’re without a vaccine, you can have some worries. That’s what it’s all about,” says Nadal.
“A lot of people have died in the last two years. My feeling is that only a vaccine can stop this pandemic. That’s coming from people who really understand the issue and I’m not against anyone forming a different opinion,” says Nadal.
In Spain, there is a strong belief in favour of the vaccine in general. Since many people in the country have died from the coronavirus, people follow all the rules carefully, wear masks honestly even in public, and the vast majority of people are in favour of the vaccine.
Madrid’s Marca newspaper, one of the biggest in Spain, has come up with a poll on its website asking what fans think of Djokovic’s deportation. 139,000 people took part in the poll in just a quarter of an hour, 88% (122,012) think it’s right and the rules apply to everyone, therefore if Djokovic is not vaccinated he should leave the country. Only 12% (17,007) think he has the right to compete in the tournament.
That’s how they feel about the vaccine in Spain. In other countries, the poll would have turned out very differently.
Source: Marca