Rafael Nadal: Novak Djokovic 'would be playing' in Australian Open 'if he wanted'

The ongoing saga of whether or not world No. 1 Novak Djokovic would be allowed to play in this year's Australian Open took a surprising turn Wednesday when Australia denied him access to the country because he reportedly could not adequately prove he is legitimately medically exempt from being vaccinated against COVID-19. 

Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer all began the new year tied for the men's record with 20 career Grand Slam titles. Federer is injured and out of the tournament, but Nadal offered a direct answer about Djokovic's current status on Thursday. 

"If he wanted, he would be playing without a problem," Nadal explained, according to Sky Sports. "He has taken his own position, and everybody is free to take their position. But there are consequences. I don't like the situation. In some ways, I feel sorry for him. But he knew the conditions months ago. He made his own decision." 

Nadal continued: 

"I believe in what the people who know about medicine say. If they say we need to get vaccinated? Then we need to get vaccinated. That's my point of view. I have been through COVID-19. I got vaccinated twice. If you do this, you don't have any problems to play here. That's the only clear thing. The clear thing is — if you are vaccinated, you can play in the Australian Open." 

Nadal is correct in that Djokovic and others have known since the fall about local and national vaccine mandates linked with the year's first Slam. Djokovic's appeal over having his visa canceled will be heard on Monday. 

The 34-year-old is currently staying in a quarantine hotel.