Boris Becker Says Rafael Nadal ‘Might be the Beneficiary’ of Novak Djokovic Australian Open 2022 Saga

Former tennis star Boris Becker said that Djokovic’s absence at the Australian Open has changed the dynamic of the event. The World No.1 from Serbia was deported to his home country ahead of the Australian Open 2022. This was after a tough two weeks dealing with Australian immigration forces and the government. Becker says that this might end up proving to be beneficial for Rafael Nadal, who is returning from an injury.

“It is actually Nadal, through to the quarter-finals, who might be the beneficiary of all this,” Becker wrote in the Daily Mail.

Becker thinks Djokovic might have to change his stance

20-time Grand Slam winning champion Novak Djokovic was looking for a record 21st at Melbourne Park, before the authorities deported him following a highly dramatic and controversial court battle. While some players extended their support for him, some like Rafael Nadal have said that rules are rules and no one player is above the sport and public health.

The next Slam on the calendar is the French Open. However, French authorities are also making vaccination mandatory for all players, and Djokovic’s aspirations for a 21st major title hang in the balance.

Becker said that Djokovic “will be weighing up the fact that it is becoming much more difficult for unvaccinated people to go about their daily lives, let alone play international tennis tournaments.”

Becker finds Rafael Nadal ‘hugely impressive’

Rafael Nadal entered the Australian Open quarterfinals for the 14th time, after a tricky fourth-round clash with Adrian Mannarino. He won the first set 7-6(14) in a tie-breaker which lasted 28 minutes and 40 seconds. This set saw him scrambling to establish dominance, having to save four set points and missing 6 of his own.

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“But, yeah, [it was] a crazy one, chances for both. And, yeah, lucky to win that tie-break at the end, no?” Rafa said, ever-so humble.

Becker praised Nadal for his form, after the ‘setbacks’ of the last few months. He also applauded his strategy and said, “It is a reminder that, above all, he is a great tournament player who knows how to approach a big fortnight and handle the pressures you face over that time span — bringing yourself to the boil at the right time. Rafa’s decision to play the relatively small 250-level event in Melbourne at the start of January was a typically smart move.”

Becker also thinks that Nadal’s experience with Grand Slam events is an advantage he has over the other contenders, moving into the second week at the Australian Open 2022.

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