Rafael Nadal on Novak Djokovic: 'Everyone is free to do what they like, but...'

• Tennis News
• Rafael Nadal

Professional tennis has been stopped for about two months due to the Coronavirus emergency and many believe that it is unlikely to witness a recovery of the season before 2021. According to some rumors, until a vaccine is found it will be really complicated to organize a tournament with the crowd as we have always been used to.

However, World number 1 Novak Djokovic had confessed in April that he would oppose the obligation to have to be vaccinated in order to return to the court. Overwhelmed by criticism, the 17-time Slam champion had slightly mitigated his position: "I keep my mind open and will continue to research this topic to make the best possible decision." In an interview with La Voz de Galicia, Nadal was asked if he would be in favour of making it compulsory to get vaccinated, he replied: “I am a nobody and no one can demand anything from you.

Everyone is free to do what they like, but if you belong to the Tour, one has to comply to the rules of that governing body. If the Tour makes it compulsory to be vaccinated to be able to travel, it is to protect everyone. Djokovic will have to be vaccinated if he wants to continue playing at the highest level.

Everyone, me too. Everyone will have to comply. If the ATP or the ITF force us to use a vaccine to play tennis, then we will have to get it. Just as we have restrictions on not taking too many medications for obvious doping control issues. It is a matter of following the rules”.