By the way, there is a Grand Slam of tennis starting on Monday… While Novak Djokovic, again placed in detention, is launched in a 5th set with the Australian government, his little playmates would like everything to stop revolving around of the “case”. However, it is impossible to ignore it. Whatever the outcome of the proceedings before the three judges of the federal court on Sunday morning (Saturday evening from 11:30 p.m. in France), we will probably only be talking about the world No. 1 in the next two weeks…
“Not a single player is more important than a tournament”
“I think the situation has gone too far, slips Rafael Nadal. Honestly, I’m a bit tired with this because I just believe it’s important to talk about our sport, even though I know tennis doesn’t matter compared to what we’re up against now. It’s very clear that Novak Djokovic is one of the best players in history. But there is not a single player in history who is more important than a tournament. Players stay and then leave, and other players arrive. Nobody, not even Roger (Federer), Novak, myself, or Björn Borg who was incredible in his time. The tennis continues. If Novak doesn’t play, the Australian Open will be a great Australian Open with or without him…”
The Spaniard, who is seeking a 21st Grand Slam in Melbourne for his return to the circuit, also insists on vaccination. “Tennis is just a sport for entertainment for people, continues the world No. 6. If there is a solution, and the solution is the vaccine, then we must be vaccinated for the well-being of all and for the health of our sport. »
“Not start hitting Novak while he’s down”
The former world No. 1 Andy Murray, too, emphasizes the need to go through the sting box. “I would encourage people to get vaccinated, but it’s also up to everyone to make their own decision. But in a country like Australia, where you have to be vaccinated to come and play, and the majority of players have made that choice, sums up the Scotsman. I’m not going to stand there and start hitting Novak while he’s down. It just feels like it’s been dragging on for quite a while now, and it’s not great for tennis, not great for the Australian Open, not great for Novak. I just want everything to be resolved. »
Daniil Medvedev could take advantage of the absence of the No. 1 seed to snatch the ATP throne from him. “Again, if he has a valid exemption to be in this country and do what he wants, then he should play, blows the Russian, rather close to the boss. If the exemption is not valid or something else is not valid, then any country can deny you entry. I know the prime minister (Editor’s note: in fact that of immigration) said no. I haven’t really read why anywhere. I would be interested to know the reason. Did he just say ” I do not want “ ? Is there a real legal reason behind this? (…) It is definitely a difficult situation for everyone. As far as I’m concerned, even if Novak is in the draw, I can only meet him in the final. First I need to win six games before! This should not change my preparation for the tournament…”
After having severely tackled the Belgrader on Friday, accusing him of following his own rules and making the majority of players look like idiots, Stefanos Tsitsipas does not want to add to it. Alexander Zverev, he does not hide his admiration for Djokovic and rather plays the defense lawyers. “I understand the point of view of the Australian people, explains the world number 3. But the Australian government and the Victorian government should have been clear about what was going to happen in advance. Novak is a global superstar. And he’s someone who maybe people think they can make a fuss about just because he’s Novak. If it hadn’t been for Novak Djokovic, world No. 1, with 20 Grand Slams, then it wouldn’t have taken such “dramatic” proportions. Everything that is happening is obviously not a good thing for everyone, for him in particular. But don’t question his legacy because of it. »
Among the girls too, everyone has their own opinion. Naomi Osaka, the defending champion, finds the story “regrettable” and says she is “sad” that one day we can remember Djokovic more for this incredible news story than for his feats of arms racket in hand. “But it’s up to the government to decide how Australia manages it,” said the Japanese.
“Everyone knew the rules very well”
Spaniard Garbine Muguruza has a much stronger opinion on the matter. “I think we all want to move on and focus on the cool aspect of starting a Slam, blows the No. 3 at the WTA. I think all of this could have been avoided, as we all did, by getting vaccinated, doing whatever we had to do to come here to Australia. Everyone knew the rules very well. Just follow them and that’s it. I don’t think it’s that hard…”
