'Novak Djokovic could have done things in a different way', says top coach

• Tennis News
• Novak Djokovic

Novak Djokovic's affair held court for several weeks before the final decision on Sunday by the Australian government, which opted for the cancellation of the Serbian champion's visa and consequent expulsion from the country.

A little while ago, the Federal Court published the long 106-page document explaining the reasons that led to this final decision. "An iconic world tennis star can influence people of all ages, young or old, but perhaps especially the young and the most influential, leading them to emulation.

This is not a fantasy, no proof is needed. The Court does not analyze the merits or the wisdom of the decision, the task is to assess whether the decision falls within the limits of the law". This small excerpt from the long communiqué is perhaps the most important as it clearly explains the final decision James Allsop, the head of the three-judge panel of the Federal Court, made.

The Serbian tennis player, who had received medical exemption to participate in the Australian Open, had his visa revoked on two occasions. After winning the appeal for the first time, the twenty-time slam champion had once again undergone the cancellation of his visa and this time by the Minister for Immigration Alex Hawke due to "actual or even potential threats inherent in the issue of public order, health and of security towards citizens".

Toni Nadal on Novak Djokovic

Legandary tennis coach Toni Nadal believes Novak Djokovic will be forced to rethink his principles if there is a Covid-19 vaccine mandate in place to play at Roland Garros. "It has surprised me that the situation has gotten to where it has gotten," Nadal said.

"Djokovic could have done things in a different way. There is an unquestionable reality and that is that to play in Australia he had to get vaccinated or have an exemption. I start from the base that any organizer of a tournament wants to have Djokovic, it is normal, because he is a great player, he is one of the best in history," Nadal continued.

"For a tournament it is very good to have his presence. I do not think it has gone against him intentionally, but that they have not given him the exemptions. That's all. It is a debate that has transcended the world of sports about whether we vaccinate or not," added the Spaniard.

"If they tell you that to play you have to comply with regulations, then you comply or not. Yes, [if] everyone would have taken Djokovic's line if he hadn't been vaccinated, maybe there wouldn't be an Australian Open. The ATP asks you to get vaccinated and the other two players who have not been vaccinated agreed not to go play."