Olympia 2021: Nadal, Djokovic, Osaka with mixed feelings
Naomi Osaka (23) and Rafael Nadal (34) have mixed feelings about the Olympic Games in Tokyo.
by SID
last edit: Jan 31, 2021, 03:17 pm
Both the Japanese top player and the Grand Slam record champion from Spain consider the world event from July 23rd to August 8th to be very attractive in terms of sport, but are concerned about the pandemic situation in the host country.
"My concern would be general security because they open up the country," said Osaka. "Everyone flies in from different places. I just want the public to feel safe." The 23-year-old three-time Grand Slam winner is one of the figureheads of the Summer Games and hopes to be able to compete - despite all the discussions. If necessary, she will "stay in my room for two weeks to play the Olympics," said Osaka, who lives in Florida.
Djokovic doesn't want to give advice
Nadal pointed out that health professionals should have the final say. "What we have to do is just follow the instructions of people who are really familiar with these things," he said on Sunday. At the same time, Nadal emphasized that another mandatory quarantine, as before the Australian Open, "would hardly fit into our tour calendar".
According to the current status, this is not planned either, the organizers are relying on the isolation of the athletes, who are therefore only allowed to stay in the Olympic Village and their sports facilities. World number one Novak Djokovic (33 / Serbia) stressed that he could not decide "what can, should, or will be done". He "really hopes that the Olympic Games can take place".