All players competing at the Melbourne Grand Slam are required to have had a Covid-19 vaccine, unless they were given a medical exemption. Djokovic has not been vaccinated against the virus, but traveled expecting to be able to compete for a 10th Australian crown after receiving “exemption permission.”
The Serb could face similar issues at this year’s French Open, with France’s Minister for Sports, Roxana Maracineanu, announcing on Monday that the country was preparing to introduce “vaccination passes.”
Once the laws are put into effect, these passes will be required to enter all public buildings - including stadiums, theaters and lounges - for spectators and athletes. The passes are expected to be mandated for non-French sports personnel as well.
Speaking on the Onda Cero radio network, Nadal suggested he feels Djokovic is largely to blame for the situation which unfolded in Australia.
Nadal then argued that the Australian Open may not have taken place if everyone had followed the 34-year-old’s decision to not have a COVID-19 jab.
The 60-year-old went on to claim that Djokovic - the defending French Open champion - will have to reconsider his beliefs if players also need to be vaccinated to compete at Roland Garros.
Rafael Nadal’s life is not going to change by winning one more Major than Roger Federer or Novak Djokovic: Toni Nadal
Toni Nadal also gave his thoughts on his nephew Rafael Nadal’s attempt to win a men’s record 21st Major title at the 2022 Australian Open. The Spaniard - who currently works with Canadian star Felix Auger-Aliassime - coached his nephew from childhood until 2017.
World No. 6 Nadal defeated German qualifier Yannick Hanfmann 6-2, 6-3, 6-4 in the second round of the Australian Open on Wednesday. The 35-year-old will face 28th seed Karen Khachanov in the third round on Friday.
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