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Tag: Melbourne

Rafael Nadal Slides Through Australian Open Kick-Off

Posted on by cbtfhome

The 20 time Grand Slam winner Rafael Nadal started his Australian Open campaign this morning as he faced off against Marcos Giron the young American.

Giron, who had a similar style to Maxime, a fellow USA player who Nadal faced at the Melbourne Summer Set finals to win his first Melbourne championship. As expected, Nadal breezed past Giron in this opener in straight sets.

This is the first time Rafa has played a best of 5 since last year’s French Open where he unfortunately lost in the semi finals to fellow 20 time grand slam winner Novak Djokovic as he struggled with his knee and ankle issues again. 

Rafa displayed his amazing collection of beautiful shots as he completely ruled the court at the Rod Laver Arena against the young American. 

He started off calmly with a 2 games to 1 lead in the first set and then pulled out a no-look running lob to get his 3rd game. Since that moment it was all Rafael Nadal as he destroyed Giron with incredibly powerful forehands and absolutely genius backhands. 

Giron did manage to get in a few shots in the second set which prompted even Rafael Nadal to applaud the efforts. However, the former World No.1 proved too much for the World No. 66.

Nadal won the match 6-1, 6-3, 6-2 in his purple shirts and green bandana as he moved on to face the winner of the Hanfmann vs Kokkinakis on Wednesday morning. 

Over in the women’s side, Naomi Osaka and Victoria Azarenka were both in action as they teed off against their own respective opponents and won in straight sets quite comfortably.

Djokovic Wins the Right to Stay in Australia as Deportation Still Looms Over his Head

Posted on by cbtfhome

The World No. 1 Novak Djokovic arrived in Australia a couple of weeks ago with a medical exemption from the Australian Open. He was then detained at the Melbourne Airport and subsequently at a cheap hotel nearby.

The hold was on the basis that he had failed to provide all information and documentation on arrival. That meant that Djokovic wasn’t vaccinated and thus wasn’t allowed in the country. However, post a court battle against Prime Minister Morrison, Djokovic has walked out a free man.

Yesterday the judge ruled that Djokovic is to be released from the hotel and is a free man in Australia immediately. The government lost the case and had to let Djokovic go free without any vaccination certifications and with Djokovic mentioning in the press that he does not and will not want to get vaccinated.

Djokovic has now been ruled free but however, the government still has the last call on deportation of any person. They can still deport Djokovic amidst non vaccination issues as he continues his way to the Australian Open in just 6 days.

With many sports people and critics talking about this situation there are two major sides. The first side is against the Djokovic treatment and believes he should be allowed to play with exemption as he can defend his title. The other side, with reason, says vaccination laws are important right now and to show that you will allow one person in your country who isn’t vaccinated just shows off an unfair judicial system.