Novak Djokovic was not the only one to
blame for the “mess” that overshadowed the Australian Open 2022, said
Rafael Nadal on Monday after winning his campaign opener against American
Marcos Giron at Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne.

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Nadal also said “justice had spoken” as
unvaccinated Djokovic has been deported to his home country Serbia after the
Australian Federal Court gave a verdict against him. 

The Serbian world No. 1 packed out of
Australia on the eve of the Australian Open as he lost a legal battle against
the Australian government to reinstate his visa after it was cancelled over his
coronavirus vaccination status. Djokovic won a first court case but lost a
decisive second one on Sunday, and Nadal said he was “tired” of talking
about it.

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“Almost one week ago when he won in
the first instance, the case, he was able to get back his visa and was
practising. I said the justice have spoke,” Nadal said after cruising into
the Australian Open second round.

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“If the justice says his visa is valid
and he’s able to play here, the justice has spoken, so that’s the fairest
thing, that he deserves to play here.

“Yesterday the justice said another
thing. I will never be against what the justice says.”

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Djokovic was detained by the Australian
border force upon his arrival at the Melbourne airport as he failed to produce
a valid vaccination certificate. Since then he was sent to an immigration
detention centre but released after a local court gave a verdict in his favour. On Sunday as the
Federal Court asked the Australian government to deport him, Djokovic was sent
back to the detention centre and finally to Serbia.

“I think the situation has been a
mess,” said Nadal.

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“He’s not the only one that did
probably things bad in that case. Of course, there is more responsible in all
this terrible situation that we faced for the last two weeks,” he said.

“But of course he is one of those
responsible.”

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As Djokovic is not defending his Australian
Open men’s singles title, Nadal, who won a title in 2009, will look to win his
21st Grand Slam title.

Asked about the benefit of Djokovic’s
absence, Nadal said, “The ideal situation in the world of sport is that the
best players are on the court and playing the most important events, without a
doubt”.