Rafael Nadal missing out on this year’s Roland Garros naturally was massive news that was covered extensively and many current and former players reacted to the same. The same had happened back in 2022, when Novak Djokovic had to miss out on the Australian Open since he wasn’t vaccinated for COVID-19. Similar to how Nadal had expressed his thoughts on Djokovic missing out on the first Major of the year in 2022, Djokovic has spoken his mind on Rafa missing the French Open. And a Twitter user has highlighted the difference in both the takes, sparking a debate.
Back in 2022, many had called Nole out for not getting vaccinated due to which he’d missed out on competing Down Under. Not a lot of people had sympathy for the Serbian since his principles weren’t conventional when it came to vaccinations. Amongst them were former players, the likes of Martina Navratilova, who have very different takes on Rafa missing the clay Major. And the Djokovic fan was quick to highlight the same.
Double standards for Novak Djokovic?
It was indeed sad news when Rafael Nadal announced his withdrawal from the ongoing Grand Slam in Paris. The news was even heavier to digest since the Spaniard also suggested that 2024 could very well be his last year on the professional tennis circuit. While this is good news for his greatest rival Novak Djokovic, who could leave Rafa behind on the Majors tally if he lifts the La Coupe des Mousquetaires, the Serbian’s comments were heavy-hearted.
“Obviously Nadal not playing in the tournament here is a big loss for tennis. It is a big loss for Roland Garros because he’s by far the most successful player to play in this tournament in history. Of course, it opens up, you know, a chance and opportunity for the rest of us to try to get a title because whenever he plays, he’s an absolute favourite here or any clay court tournament, for that matter.”
Twitter user Imran Salahuddin highlighted what Rafael Nadal had said back in 2022 while Djokovic was fighting against being deported.
Nadal in 2022 when Djokovic couldn’t play Australian Open: “Actions have consequences…. No player is bigger than a tournament…. Australian Open will be great with or without Djokovic”
Djokovic on Nadal’s absence from French Open 2023: “It’s a big loss for tennis”.
— Imran Salahuddin (@itisimrankhan) May 27, 2023
For complete context, here is what Nadal had said regarding the whole situation in Australia.
“The Australian Open is much more important than any player…It’ll be a great Australian Open with or without him.
“I really respect him, even if I don’t agree with a lot of things he did the last couple of weeks.”
The Twitter user also recalled Martina Navratilova’s comments from 2022 when she’d advised the Serbian to “do the right thing and go home”.
“The best thing for Novak to do I think would be just say ‘you know what, there are too many mistakes, this is not OK and the right thing to do is just to go home. It’s just the right thing to do, but I don’t think he will do that because he wants that 21st title.”
And he compared that to the comments Navratilova made on Nadal missing the French Open this year.
When Novak was fighting his case in a court of law against his possible deportation from Australia, Martina told Novak to “go home”. https://t.co/aasBeyRpnr
— Imran Salahuddin (@itisimrankhan) May 27, 2023
Naturally the comments on the thread had people voicing their agreement as well as counters to the same.
It was a completely different situation and you know it. Nadal got injured. Djokovic made a conscious decision not to play and tried to cheat his way to Australia, which failed.
— Daniel Anzeletti (@DanielAnzeletti) May 27, 2023
Stop lying.
The exemption process was Australia’s idea.
Do not whine if people utilise the process which THEY implemented.— Essex Girl (@rhondaw83330735) May 27, 2023
Leaving aside that Djokovic didn’t do any cheat in 🇦🇺 (it’s just that the media trained you to think so), he could have easily shot the same arrow and said that “no player is bigger than RG”.
Instead, he said there would be a big hole in RG without Nadal. That’s the difference.
— Passchendaele (@zrakMalogMeseca) May 27, 2023
Leaving aside that Djokovic didn’t do any cheat in 🇦🇺 (it’s just that the media trained you to think so), he could have easily shot the same arrow and said that “no player is bigger than RG”.
Instead, he said there would be a big hole in RG without Nadal. That’s the difference.
— Passchendaele (@zrakMalogMeseca) May 27, 2023
Understandably, there are going to be arguments from sides. Fans of either player are always going to show support for their man and even neutrals will have their personal opinions. However, the thing to note here is that both Rafa and Nole do indeed respect one another as competitors even if they don’t necessarily see eye-to-eye on other matters.
In Rafael Nadal’s defense
While talking about Novak’s situation in Australian in January of 2022 Nadal does touch upon some personal decisions and principles, he had also echoed a similar sentiment to Djokovic. After saying that while Djokovic is responsible in part for the situation, Rafa reminds everyone that the Serbian isn’t the only one responsible. Following that he also expressed his personal desire to see Nole compete at the Major.
“On a personal level I would like to see him play here. If it’s fair or not that he’s playing here is another discussion that I do not want to talk more about.”
When dealing with a subject that is as divisive as vaccination, there is always going to be a difference of opinions. While Rafa and Novak may not necessarily be friends, the two have the utmost respect for another as athletes and rivals and a different take on such topics does not diminish that fact. And Djokovic clearly feels the same way or we would have seen a change in the dynamics between the two following the debacle in Australia, which isn’t the case.
