Rafael Nadal’s record 21st Grand Slam victory at the Australian Open is the driving force behind Novak Djokovic backflipping on his stance on vaccination.
That’s according to the world No.1’s biographer, Daniel Muksch.
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Muksch — who wrote A Lifetime At War, a book detailing the journey of the 20-time Grand Slam champion that comes out later this year — claimed the Spaniard’s historic win in Melbourne is the trigger behind the Serbian star’s change of heart.
“From what I have heard from those around him, I think he is getting vaccinated,” Muksch reportedly said on Austrian TV station Servus TV.
“Maybe the final in Melbourne also contributed to that. Rafael Nadal’s 21 is driving him, no question.”
Djokovic congratulated Nadal after his Melbourne Park triumph over Daniil Medvedev, and also paid tribute to Ash Barty for winning the women’s singles title.
“There has been some outstanding tennis played at this year’s #AusOpen and the finals were exceptional. Congratulations to @ashbarty for an amazing performance in front of her home crowd and to Danielle Collins for an incredible tournament,” Djokovic tweeted.
“Congratulations to @RafaelNadal for 21st GS. Amazing achievement. Always impressive fighting spirit that prevailed another time.”
Djokovic has not played since December 3, when he represented Serbia during his nation’s loss to Croatia in the semi-finals of the Davis Cup.
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The top-ranked men’s player is on the entry list for the Dubai Open, which will take place from February 21.
If the claims are true, the 34-year-old could play the first two Masters 1000 tournaments in Indian Wells and Miami.
For Djokovic to maintain his status as world No.1, he will more than likely have to play in the American tournaments to hold on to the top spot and prevent Medvedev from overtaking him.
Medvedev is 890 points behind Djokovic and is set to play at the Rotterdam Open on February 7, where the winner will earn 500 points.
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