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WASHINGTON, DC – AUGUST 1: Rafael Nadal (ESP) speaks with press on Media Day ahead of the 2021 Citi Open at Rock Creek Park Tennis Center on August 1, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mike Lawrence/ISI Photos/Getty Images)
via Getty
WASHINGTON, DC – AUGUST 1: Rafael Nadal (ESP) speaks with press on Media Day ahead of the 2021 Citi Open at Rock Creek Park Tennis Center on August 1, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mike Lawrence/ISI Photos/Getty Images)
20-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal is looking forward to the 2022 tennis season. Earlier in August, his persistent left foot injury forced him to exit the 2021 tour. However, the Spaniard finally returned to tennis this week in Abu Dhabi.
Today, he voiced his opinion on one of the most contentious issues surrounding the Australian Open 2022. Speaking about the mandate around the first Grand Slam of next year, Rafael Nadal talked about vaccinations.
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Rafael Nadal listens to health organizations
Rafael Nadal‘s return to tour was much anticipated this week. However, it was not the most ideal. Sadly, he lost to Andy Murray in their semi-final at the Mubadala Tournament in Abu Dhabi.
USA Today via Reuters
Aug 5, 2021; Washington, DC, USA; Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts after a play against Lloyd Harris of South Africa (not pictured) during the Citi Open at Rock Creek Park Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Taetsch-USA TODAY Sports
Tennis Australia has announced that only vaccinated players can play in the Australian Open. In fact, at the center of these discussions is World No. 1 Novak Djokovic, owing to his stance on the subject. Djokovic has claimed that getting the jab is a matter of ‘personal choice’, and shouldn’t be mandatory. Thus, Djokovic has not revealed his vaccination status to the public.
On the other hand, Rafael Nadal has a different perspective on the matter. He claims he is in no position to question health mandates laid down by authorities, and wouldn’t wish to pretend that he knows more than experts.
Rafael Nadal: I am not with or without, I am just following what the organization of health says. I don’t pretend to know more than the authorized people say. If the people who really know about this say that we need to be vaccinated, who am I to create a different opinion?
— Reem Abulleil (@ReemAbulleil) December 17, 2021
“I am not with or without, I am just following what the organization of health says,” Nadal stated. “I don’t pretend to know more than the authorized people say. If the people who really know about this say that we need to be vaccinated, who am I to create a different opinion?”
Nadal remains optimistic about his game
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After a straight-set defeat against Andy Murray, Nadal spoke about feeling good about his game. He expressed satisfaction with his overall performance. After all, he had not played on the highest level in a very long time.
"No fue un mal partido para mí teniendo en cuenta el tiempo que estuve sin jugar", Rafa Nadal tras caer ante Murray.#AbuDabi pic.twitter.com/NneO9VixyM
— ESPN Tenis (@ESPNtenis) December 17, 2021
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Next up, Nadal will face Canadian star Denis Shapovalov to conclude his stint in Abu Dhabi. The Spaniard now has his sights set on Melbourne, where the 2022 tennis season will officially kick off with the build-up to the Australian Open.
DIVE DEEPER: WATCH: Naomi Osaka, Nick Kyrgios, and Other Tennis Stars Sweating it Out Ahead of Australian Open 2022
