Nadal urges Novak Djokovic to ‘clear up doubts’ over Australian Open medical exemption
Toni Nadal has urged Novak Djokovic to clarify his Australian Open medical exemption application as a matter of “human sensitivity and understanding.”
Djokovic’s involvement at the upcoming Australian Open had been doubtful for a number of months after the 20-time Grand Slam ace refused to publicly declare his Covid-19 vaccination status.
If players want to compete at the ‘Happy Slam,’ they are required to be fully vaccinated. A move that was brandished as “blackmail” by Novak’s father Srdjan.
However, these doubts were quashed when World number one Djokovic announced he had been granted a medical exemption to compete at the first Slam of the season.
The Serbian number one now looks to be able to defend his Australian Open crown and compete for a record-extending tenth ‘Happy Slam’ title.
This will also boost his chances of ending his career as the most successful male player ever. Should he win, it would be a record-breaking 21st Grand Slam title meaning he would surpass Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal in the total Slam tally.
In his latest column for Spanish news outlet El Pais, renowned coach Toni Nadal wrote “almost six million people have lost their lives due to this damn virus [Covid-19], and many other millions who have received the vaccine.
“I must admit that, until Tuesday’s announcement, I thought that the Serbian player [Djokovic] would give up participating in the tournament, or that he would get the vaccine.
“The way I understand it, if you have requested and received an exemption, then it’s because you must not have been administered any of the authorised [vaccines],” Nadal claimed.
“I want to think that Novak Djokovic is no stranger to all this and that he will clear up doubts as a sign of human sensitivity and understanding.
“It would be good if Djokovic gave some explanation. He does not have the obligation to give information regarding his privacy, but at the same time, he must be aware that it is a world reference at a time of serious health crisis.
“At a time, also, of great sensitivity, due to the enormous pain that the virus is causing.”
🎾 Read >> Breaking tennis news
🎾 Follow >> 24/7 LIVE scores
🎾 Free >> Receive our legendary newsletter
🎾 Join >> Tennishead CLUB, the world’s only virtual tennis club
🎾 Social >> Facebook, Twitter, Instagram & YouTube
🎾 Order >> World’s best tennis magazine
🎾 Shop >> Lowest price tennis gear from our trusted retail partner
