"Conscious decision": Novak Djokovic can live well with cancellations
Due to his lack of vaccination against the corona virus, Novak Djokovic missed the Sunshine Double in Indian Wells and Miami. The second in the world rankings can apparently live well with that.
by Nikolaus Fink
last edit: Mar 21, 2023, 08:20 pm
Until recently, the unvaccinated Novak Djokovic had hoped to enter the United States, but like last year, the Serb did not receive a special permit from the authorities. Once again, the 22-time Grand Slam winner missed the Sunshine Double in Indian Wells and Miami. To make matters worse, Djokovic was replaced as number one in the world rankings by Carlos Alcaraz after his triumph in Indian Wells.
"No, I have no regrets," Djokovic said in a CNN interview . "I've learned over the course of life that grieving at night only holds you back and you basically live in the past. And I don't want to do that," said the 35-year-old, who congratulated Alcaraz on returning to the top of the world rankings.
However, it is unfortunate that he cannot take part in the first two ATP Masters 1000 events of the year. Djokovic: "I love these tournaments. I've had a lot of success there. But at the same time it's a conscious decision I made and I knew there was always the possibility that I wouldn't be there."
Djokovic hopes for US Open start
It is currently still uncertain whether Djokovic will be allowed to take part in the US Open in the summer. The USA still prohibits unvaccinated people from entering the country, this regulation applies at least until mid-April. Djokovic naturally hopes to take part in the last Grand Slam event of the season: "For me, this is the most important tournament on American soil."
First of all, there are now events on ashes for Djokovic. The second in the world rankings will celebrate his comeback at the ATP Masters 1000 tournament in Monte Carlo (April 9th to 16th). The big highlight of the European clay court season will take place around two months later with the French Open in Paris.