Saturday 15 January 2022
“Guess It’s Not Fair”
Zverev takes Djokovic’s side
It is still open whether Novak Djokovic can go on a record hunt at the Australian Open. In any case, Germany’s top player Alexander Zverev wants it. He believes the Serb will be treated particularly harshly because of his celebrity.
In the entry dispute about Novak Djokovic, Germany’s best tennis player Alexander Zverev took the side of the Serbian top star and spoke out in favor of his participation in the Australian Open. “I don’t think it’s very fair for a person to come here and not be able to play,” said the 24-year-old from Hamburg. “The Australian and Victorian governments should have known in advance what was going to happen.” Zverev continued: “I don’t know enough about the situation, but I think if it weren’t for Novak Djokovic, the world number one with 20 Grand Slam titles, all of that, then it wouldn’t be such a big drama.”
The start of the Serbian defending champion Djokovic at the Grand Slam tournament starting on Monday is still questionable. A federal court in Melbourne will deal with the 34-year-old’s appeal on Sunday. Immigration Minister Alex Hawke declared the visa of the world number one invalid on Friday and justified it with the public interest. Djokovic is the record Australian Open winner with nine titles.
In view of the high corona numbers in Melbourne, Olympic tennis champion Zverev is severely restricted. Apart from training, he’s not going anywhere, said the 24-year-old from Hamburg on Saturday in Melbourne. “I’m not taking any risks. I want to play the tournament as well as possible.” A good 25,000 new cases were reported for the Australian state of Victoria on Saturday. The main draw of the first Grand Slam tournament of the new season begins on Monday. Zverev has to deal with outsider Daniel Altmaier from Kempen in a German duel in the first round.
Nadal: “Respect him”
The Spanish tennis pro Rafael Nadal also commented on Djokovic’s ongoing topic. He demands answers in the cause. “In my opinion, there are many questions that need to be answered in this case. I think it would be good if everything would be clarified soon,” said the sixth in the world rankings and explained that from his point of view it was important to talk about the sport talk.
It is clear that Djokovic is one of the best tennis players in history. “But no tennis player in history is more important than the event,” said the 35-year-old. “If he plays in the end, ok. If he doesn’t play, the Australian Open will be great Australian Open – with or without him.” Nadal continued: “I respect him even if I disagree with a lot of things he’s done in the past few weeks.”