Djokovic and Nadal at the Australian Open? Tiley remains optimistic
WillNovak Djokovic andRafael Nadal start at the Australian Open? Tournament director Craig Tiley believes in it.
by Nikolaus Fink
last edit: Dec 23, 2021, 08:40 pm
The first tennis professionals are on their way to Australia these days. It is currently unknown whether Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal will also take a plane Down Under in the near future. While Djokovic is still keeping a cloak of silence about his vaccination status, Nadal was last infected with the corona virus.
Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley is "confident" that Nadal will play in Melbourne. "Players who test positive now go through a certain period of time until they are no longer infectious. Then they are healthy," said the 59-year-old on Wednesday.
Tiley doesn't know Djokovic's vaccination status
In the case of Djokovic, Tiley was a little more cautious. The world number one wants to play in Melbourne, but he doesn't know the vaccination status either: "We won't force him or ask him to disclose it." It is clear, however, that Djokovic must either be vaccinated or have a special permit.
To date, the organizers of the Australian Open have not yet received a single medical exemption for unvaccinated players . Therefore, Tiley only expects a "very small percentage" of unvaccinated participants.
In terms of viewers, Tiley is still assuming full ranks. Despite the new Omikron variant, the native South African "does not expect any restrictions". But: "If there is a situation in which we have to limit the number of viewers, we will react accordingly."