Tennis Canada Vice President labels Rafael Nadal’s humility as ‘shocking’, says Rafa can open the door for you
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Eugene Lapierre (L) and Rafael Nadal
Tennis Canada vice-president Eugène Lapierre has recalled how Spanish great Rafael Nadal was one of the most humble professionals he ever met while he was the tournament director for the National Bank Open in Montreal.
“It’s really impressive. He is careful with the volunteers, with everyone. He’s the guy who could walk into a building, see people behind him, then wait to open the door for them and let them through. I found his candor very interesting. He is an ordinary and impressive guy at the same time,” Lapierre recently told TVA Sports.
No chance for Novak Djokovic to play in Montreal right now, Lapierre had said
Recently when the Canadian Masters leg was held in Montreal this year (alternates with Toronto), Lapierre had clarified that there was no chance former World No.1 Novak Djokovic could play because of strict vaccination requirements that the country still had in place.
The Tennis Canada vice-president was in no mood to offer any pardons either.
“We will have a great tournament,” he had announced. “All the best players will be there except for two and we know the reasons for their absence,” while adding “Either the Canadian government is going to change the rules regarding vaccination or he is going to roll up his sleeves and get the vaccine. But I don’t think any of those scenarios are realistic.”
This year has been no short of a nightmare with respect to vaccine protocols for Djokovic even though he eventually won his 21st Grand Slam title at Wimbledon.
At Australia, Djokovic had travelled claiming that he had a medical exemption to compete before being eventually deported out of the country in a legal case that grabbed worldwide attention.
Later, the Serb was also not allowed to compete at the US Open with authorities in the States extremely clear that there was no budging around it.
It now remains to be seen if Djokovic will indeed be allowed to compete in Australia next year. Recently, Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley had suggested that the Serb finally coming back in Melbourne could become a reality soon as the COVID-19 scenario of now is much different than before.
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Ashish Maggo
(191 Articles Published)