With all the fuss surrounding Novak Djokovic's entry Down Under, the sporty in Australia has moved into the background, at least for a few hours. After the approximately one and a half hour change from the excitement that Rafael Nadal was staying in his first appearance in the singles main draw at the ATP 250 event in Melbourne with Ricardas Berankis for the 7: 5 and 6: 2 success, it was back Novak Djokovic number one topic of conversation. First win after more than four months for Nadal or not.

The fact that the start of the world number one ended in such a chaotic situation would have been avoidable according to the Mallorcan: "I think if he wanted to, he would play here in Australia without a problem. He took a different path and made his own decisions "declared the 20-time major winner. "Everyone is free to make their own decisions, but then there are consequences." In the case of Djokovic, with an extremely turbulent entry into Australia.

Nadal with a plea for the vaccination

Although the Spaniard feels sorry for the situation Djokovic is currently in, Nadal emphasizes: "There are rules and if you don't want to be vaccinated, you can run into problems." The only thing that is clear to him is that with a vaccination you can play at the Australian Open as well as at all other tournaments without any problems: "And in my opinion the world has suffered enough not to obey the rules."

In general, Nadal used the press conference after his opening success to again position himself clearly for the COVID-19 vaccination: "The vaccination is our only way to stop the pandemic. That is what the people who are familiar with medicine say. And I am nobody to create a different opinion, "said the Spaniard, who fell ill with COVID shortly before Christmas despite a double vaccination, but was able to quickly leave the infection behind without any more severe symptoms. Fever and tiredness would have plagued the 20-time major winner.

Nadal in the quarterfinals against Griekspoor

The infection shortly before the Christmas holidays had also thrown back Rafael Nadal in his preparation for the Australian Open - for some time it was anything but certain whether the Mallorcan will travel to Down Under - ultimately the 20-time major winner was able to his personal But keep to the schedule. And currently at the ATP 250 event in Melbourne to prepare for the first Grand Slam tournament of the year. In the quarter-finals, Nadal will meet Tallon Griekspoor from the Netherlands on Friday morning.

On the other hand, it is unclear how Novak Djokovic's position at the Australian Open - and thus also the hunt for major title number 21 - is. In any case, a decision about the visa for the industry leader should not be made until Monday - and thus also whether the Serb will be allowed to stay in Australian or will have to take the next plane back to Europe. For Rafael Nadal, one thing is clear: the fuss surrounding his long-term opponent would have been avoidable.