Australian Open chief Tiley confident on Nadal, uncertain on Djokovic

weakera

Talk Tennis Guru
Australian Open chief Craig Tiley said on Wednesday he was confident that Rafael Nadal will play in Melbourne despite testing positive for COVID-19, as fresh doubts emerged over Novak Djokovic.

Spanish star Nadal said on Monday that he tested positive and was experiencing "some unpleasant moments."

While the 20-time Grand Slam champion said he was examining all his playing commitments, Tiley believes Nadal will be sufficiently recovered to chase his second Australian Open title in January. "I'm confident Rafa will be here," the tournament director told reporters in Melbourne.

"Players that are testing positive now will complete a period of time until they are no longer infectious and they'll be fine."

World number one Djokovic, who has won nine of his 20 Grand Slams at Melbourne Park, remains in serious doubt over his refusal to confirm if he has been vaccinated.

The 34-year-old has been named on the tournament entry list but his father Srdjan reportedly said his participation is still not guaranteed.

Tiley said "a small percentage" of unvaccinated players and staff would be granted medical exemptions at the Australian Open, but their identity was protected by strict privacy protocols. He was not aware of any players informing organisers they had an exemption.

"If Novak shows up at the Australian Open, he'll either be vaccinated or he'll have a medical exemption," Tiley said.

"Medically, he doesn't talk to anyone about it — I'm not going to ask Novak that, it's none of my business." Any indication Djokovic had received a vaccination exemption would likely prompt a furious public backlash in Melbourne, which has endured long periods of lockdown in a bid to contain the virus.

The Australian Open field has already been ravaged by injuries, with superstars Serena Williams and Roger Federer out, along with Jennifer Brady, Karolina Pliskova, Bianca Andreescu and Karolina Muchova.

Former US Open champion Dominic Thiem is struggling to return from an injury-enforced layoff, while rising star Emma Raducanu and Olympic champion Belinda Bencic have tested positive for COVID-19.

Tiley said there was still enough time for players with coronavirus to recover for the event, which begins on Jan.17. "If you're going to test positive and you want to play the Australian Open, your timing would be now," he said.

 
So Tiley thinks Nadal will certainly play, while he has strong doubts over Djokovic's participation. Thank you Captain Obvious.
 

TimHenmanATG

Hall of Fame
On the small percentage chance that Novak is, in fact, N-o-v-a-x, then it'll be interesting to see how the French Open and Wimbledon approach the issue of vaccination requirements.

Considering that both of these tournaments have a "darling" - who is definitely not Djokovic - then they may be tempted to introduce a similar policy to keep the challenger out...
 

Visionary

Hall of Fame
On the small percentage chance that Novak is, in fact, N-o-v-a-x, then it'll be interesting to see how the French Open and Wimbledon approach the issue of vaccination requirements.

Considering that both of these tournaments have a "darling" - who is definitely not Djokovic - then they may be tempted to introduce a similar policy to keep the challenger out...
wishful thinking
 
D

Deleted member 629564

Guest
Craig Tiley said on Wednesday he was confident that Rafael Nadal will play in Melbourne despite testing positive for COVID-19, as fresh doubts emerged over Novak Djokovic.
"If Novak shows up at the Australian Open, he'll either be vaccinated or he'll have a medical exemption," Tiley said.
So Tiley thinks Nadal will certainly play, while he has strong doubts over Djokovic's participation. Thank you Captain Obvious.

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TimHenmanATG

Hall of Fame
wishful thinking

What do you mean?

If Novak does really display intransigence regarding this issue, then it's going to make the most impact at the Australian Open.

However, as we've seen time and time again - in many aspects of life - these kind of showy "statements" become yesterday's news very quickly.

The Australian Open will be a great success, with or without Novak.

Moving forward from there and he just loses any kind of "bargaining chip", as no-one will really care whether he participates at RG or SW19 after the initial "drama".

I strongly suspect that he'll participate in Melbourne, as I'd be highly surprised if he isn't double jabbed.

He's just having a last hurrah in his attempts at displaying himself as a non-conformist.
 

Visionary

Hall of Fame
If Novak does really display intransigence regarding this issue, then it's going to make the most impact at the Australian Open.
Questionable whose actions affect whom
The Australian Open will be a great success, with or without Novak.
sure if you say so
Moving forward from there and he just loses any kind of "bargaining chip", as no-one will really care whether he participates at RG or SW19 after the initial "drama".
sure nobody'll care to see the best tennis player play; makes a lot of sense there :LOL
I strongly suspect that he'll participate in Melbourne, as I'd be highly surprised if he isn't double jabbed.
sure if you say so
He's just having a last hurrah in his attempts at displaying himself as a non-conformist.
I almost thought you meant communist but then...you really mean a sheep. Ok.
What do you mean?
So, what do I mean with my suggestion of your WISHFUL THINKING? Your trashing of Novak Djokovic is obvious, is it not?
 

TimHenmanATG

Hall of Fame
Questionable whose actions affect whomsure if you say sosure nobody'll care to see the best tennis player play; makes a lot of sense there :LOLsure if you say soI almost thought you meant communist but then...you really mean a sheep. Ok.So, what do I mean with my suggestion of your WISHFUL THINKING? Your trashing of Novak Djokovic is obvious, is it not?

No offence, old bean, but I gave up "multi-quote battles" in the year of '05.

If you want to contest any point(s) I made, please do so in a more readable, user-friendly format.

Thank you.
 
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