20-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal has said there is a high level of support for players in Melbourne currently in strict quarantine but doesn’t feel the need to make that support public.
The world No.2 is currently based in Adelaide along with the top three ranked players on the ATP and WTA Tour’s, as well as their teams. Under a deal struck by Tennis Australia, Nadal and Co has been allowed to stay in the region in order to help ease the inflow of players into Melbourne where most are staying. Although some have accused the governing body of giving preferential treatment to the big names. Craig Tiley, who is in charge of the Australian Open, has previously said that those in Adelaide have got the ‘better deal.’
Speaking about the current situation for the first time to ESPN Argentina, the former world No.1 has pledged his backing to ensuring that the quarantine conditions are made as fair as possible for everyone. The Spaniard has previously been criticised by Guido Pella for his silence on the matter.
“Some need to make public everything they do to help others,” Nadal told ESPN. “Others do it in a more private way without having to publish or advertise everything we’re doing.
“The calls we make to help the most disadvantaged players, some of us don’t need to want to advertise on it.”
Nadal’s comment has led to speculation that it is a swipe at rival Novak Djokovic over his letter concerning the quarantine conditions. Earlier this month the world No.1 sent a list to Tiley outlining a series of ‘suggestions’ to improve conditions for those in strict quarantine. Including the use of more testing to reduce the length of time they have to isolate. The letter, which was leaked to the public, prompted backlash from locals and officials in Australia.
Amid the fallout from his letter and subsequent criticism, Djokovic later issued a statement clarifying his intentions. Furthermore, Tiley has also played down the letter which was sent to him.
“My good intentions for my fellow competitors in Melbourne have been misconstrued as being selfish, difficult and ungrateful,” Djokovic said in a statement. “This couldn’t be farther from the truth.
“I genuinely care about my fellow players and I also understand very well how the world is run and who gets bigger and better and why…Not every act is taken at its face value and at times when I see the aftermath of things, I do tend to ask myself if I should just sit back and enjoy my benefits instead of paying attention to other people’s struggles.”
Speaking about allegations of preferential treatment in Adelaide, Nadal believes it is more complex with everybody having their own view on what is fair and what isn’t. For him, he admits that Adelaide has ‘better conditions’ but those in Melbourne also have their advantages in his opinion.
“Complaints are understandable and totally respectable. Where is the privilege line or not privileges if it is already a little different,” Nadal said. “And I have a different vision than other tennis players. In Adelaide, conditions have been better than most players in Melbourne. But there are players in Melbourne who have larger rooms where they can develop physical activities, others have smaller rooms and can’t have contact with their coach and their physical trainer.
“Where’s the line? It’s an ethical issue. Everyone has their own opinion and they are all respectable.”
In a bid to relieve the fallout, Nadal has urged his peers to look at the bigger picture and work together in order to make the most out of the quarantine conditions. Through he admits that the process has been far from perfect.
“At the time of talking about fair play or equal conditions, people don’t tend to complain about the position of those who are worse off than them. In the end we all try to get the most out of our possibilities and help each other.” He concluded.
Nadal will play Dominic Thiem at the ‘Day at the Drive’ exhibition in Adelaide on Friday before flying to Melbourne. Next week he will lead Spain in the ATP Cup which starts on February 2nd.