Spaniard Rafael Nadal celebrates after winning a point during one of his encounters. (Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal doesn’t seem pleased with unvaccinated individuals
Legendary tennis star Rafael Nadal has expressed his thoughts on the COVID-19 vaccination rules, after the announcement of his return to on-court action at the Abu Dhabi exhibition in December.
Most notably amongst this group of players is none other than current World No.1 Novak Djokovic, who has not yet declared his vaccination status ahead of the 2022 Australian Open.
Djokovic, who beat Nadal at the French Open has already stated that he is yet to make his mind up about whether he defends his title at the Australian Open when an official decision is made regarding players and vaccinations.
There have been mixed messages from Australia over who will be allowed to play in Melbourne.
Talking about the vaccination status (h/t Tennishead.Net), the Spaniard said:
“I understand that there are people who do not want to be vaccinated, but it seems a bit selfish to me.”
“We have suffered a lot. We do not know one hundred percent the effects of vaccines, but we do have to trust the doctors, what we do know is the effect of the virus if we are not vaccinated.”
Rafael Nadal, who has hardly played since losing in the semi-finals of the French Open, is targeting the Australian Open in January. Nadal last won the Australian Open in 2009 and has lost in the final four times since then.
The 20-time Grand Slam winner will play in Abu Dhabi in December and then in a tournament before Australia and then the Australian Open. He will surely be taking these two tournaments to get his fitness back ahead of the first Grand Slam next year.
Nadal attempted a comeback on the hardcourts at the Citi Open in Washington in August but aggravated his foot injury. However, he surely would be more careful this time around as he chases his 21st Grand Slam title.
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