Australian Open chief ‘confident’ Rafael Nadal will play, despite testing positive for Covid-19
- The former world number one tested positive when he returned to Spain from Abu Dhabi where he took part in an exhibition tournament
- Tournament director Craig Tiley confirmed ‘a small percentage’ of unvaccinated players and staff would be granted medical exemptions at the Australian Open
Australian Open chief Craig Tiley said Wednesday he was confident that Rafael Nadal will play in Melbourne despite testing positive for Covid-19, as fresh doubts emerged over Novak Djokovic.
Spanish star Nadal said on Monday that he tested positive after returning home from an exhibition tournament in Abu Dhabi and was experiencing “some unpleasant moments”.
While the 20-time grand slam champion said he was examining all his playing commitments, Tiley believes Nadal will be sufficiently recovered to chase his second Australian Open title in January.
“I’m confident Rafa will be here,” the tournament director told reporters in Melbourne. “Players that are testing positive now will complete a period of time until they are no longer infectious and they’ll be fine.”
World number one Djokovic, who has won nine of his 20 Grand Slams at Melbourne Park, remains in serious doubt over his refusal to confirm if he has been vaccinated.
The 34-year-old has been named on the tournament entry list but his father Srdjan reportedly said his participation is still not guaranteed.
