Rafael Nadal ‘happy’ after Novak Djokovic Australian Open visa decision

Rafael Nadal won the 2022 Australian Open in Novak Djokovic’s absence but he’ll have to face his great rival following a decision to grant the Serbian star a visa.

Novak Djokovic has been cleared to play at next year’s Australian Open. Picture: Getty Images

Australian Open champion Rafael Nadal has welcomed the decision to grant his Serbian rival Novak Djokovic a visa which will enable him to compete at the 2023 event, describing it as “the best news possible”.

In a sensational series of events in 2022, Djokovic was detained and deported from Australia over his non-vaccinated status on Covid.

He was initially barred by the then government from returning to Australia until 2025 but Australia’s new Immigration Minister Andrew Giles said that with a significant easing in pandemic restrictions, the nine-time champion was now welcome to return.

Nadal, who won the event in Djokovic’s absence, has a men’s record 22 individual Grand Slam titles to the Serb’s 21, with Australia the next of the four annual major tournaments.

“I always said the same: tennis is better when the best players are on the court,” said Nadal after his consolation victory over Casper Ruud at the ATP Finals in Turin.

Rafael Nadal has welcomed the decision to grant his Serbian rival Novak Djokovic a visa to play the Australian Open. Picture: Getty Images

“Roger (Federer) is not playing any more. I missed a lot of Grand Slams for injuries. And last year Novak was not able to play there,” said the Spanish clay-court supremo.

“That’s past. What’s next is Novak will be able to play again. “That’s the best news possible, especially knowing that now the virus is more under control — seems — around the world. So why not?

“(I’m) happy for him. Happy for the tournament. Happy for the fans. That’s it.”

Nadal, the top seed the ATP finals in the absence of injured world number one Carlos Alcaraz, bowed out at the pool stage in spite of his 7-5, 7-5 win over Ruud on Thursday.

He had already been eliminated after losing his first two matches in the Green Group to Taylor Fritz and Felix Auger-Aliassime.

DJOKOVIC RESPONDS AFTER AUSTRALIAN OPEN DECISION

Novak Djokovic has confirmed he has received a visa to travel to Melbourne to play in the 2023 Australian Open after missing this year’s tournament when he was deported over his vaccine status.

“I was very happy to receive the news yesterday. It was a relief,” the Serbian said after beating Andrey Rublev in the ATP Finals in Turin.

“It was a relief obviously knowing what I and people closest to me in my life have been through this year with what happened in Australia and post-Australia obviously. I could not receive better news for sure, during this tournament as well.”

On Tuesday, the Herald Sun reported that the government had decided to grant the unvaccinated Serbian a visa, overturning a three-year ban after his ejection from the country.

This year’s championship was overshadowed by nine-time Australian Open champion Djokovic being put on a plane on the eve of the contest after a high-stakes legal battle over his visa status.

“Australian Open has been my most successful Grand Slam.” said Djokovic.

“I made some of the best memories there.”

Djokovic was speaking after securing a spot in the last four of the season-ending Finals with a 6-4, 6-1 win over Rublev, his second straight sets victory in as many matches.

He said the news from Australia had been a boost.

“Did it affect my game today? I would like to believe it did.” he said.

“Knowing that I have clarity now, what I do in the off-season, starting the season in Australia, also of course did relieve some of the pressure.”

Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates match point against Andrey Rublev of Russia during round robin play on Day Four of the Nitto ATP Finals at Pala Alpitour on November 16, 2022 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

He shattered Rublev’s resistance in just a few games after taking the only break point either player had in the first set at 4-4.

Djokovic served out the set and then exploited Rublev’s frustration to break again early in the second as he went 3-0 ahead and cruised to victory.

“One of the best matches I played this year, particularly in the second set. Just a flawless set really.” Having beaten Stefanos Tsitsipas in his first Red Group match on Monday, the Serb is guaranteed a spot in the last four regardless of his result on Friday against Daniil Medvedev.

“I’m really glad to be through to the semis,” he said.

“At the same time, I want to win that match, win every match that I play here.”

Novak Djokovic was deported after his visa was cancelled by the Australian government in January ahead of the Australian Open. Picture: Getty Images

Djokovic is ranked just eighth in the world in part because he missed tournaments, including the Australian Open and US Open, over his vaccination status.

“The upside of not playing many tournaments is that you’re going to be fresher than when you’re playing a lot more,” he said.

“I had more time to train, to practice. Sometimes I do wish, in the pro men’s tennis season, we have a bit more time to really have those training blocks to be a bit longer, so you can really work on your game and your body.

“I’m also at the position I think now in my career where I’m able to choose which tournaments I play and where I want to peak, at what time of the season.

“Obviously I missed a lot of big tournaments. But I can say I learned a lot this year about myself, about the world that I live in, and about some people as well who have behaved in a certain way to me in this whole process.”

Originally published as Rafael Nadal ‘happy’ after Novak Djokovic Australian Open visa decision