Laver Cup: Novak Djokovic - Yes, he still exists!
Novak Djokovic has not played a match since beating Nick Kyrgios in the 2022 Wimbledon final. Today there is a comeback at the Laver Cup in London (from 8 p.m. against Frances Tiafoe).
by Jens Huiber
last edit: Sep 24, 2022, 06:54 am
Even if Roger Federer credibly tried to assure in one of his detailed interviews before the start of the Laver Cup 2022 that the time of his resignation coincidentally coincided with the big tennis bash in London - it couldn't have been scripted better. And of course all participants stick to the script, take themselves back. Novak Djokovic, who has accumulated at least as many sporting merits as Federer, even ranks ahead of the Maestro in most categories.
Djokovic seems comfortable in London, also around Federer, with whom his relationship was very different from that of Rafael Nadal. There was no question of a friendly rivalry. On the other hand, Federer and Djokovic always handled it like the big sports icons in the Anglo-Saxon area: "Game recognizes game", they say. Freely translated: The best in an industry treat each other with respect, at least from a sporting point of view.
Now in the summer of 2022, Novak Djokovic, although still an active tennis pro, probably spent more time with his family than part-time pensioner Federer, who was constantly busy with his various business activities. As is well known, Djokovic did not take the break voluntarily, he was not allowed to enter the USA and Canada. And he missed the first chance of a comeback last week at the Davis Cup in Valencia for personal reasons.
Victory at Wimbledon for Djokovic without points
In the annual ranking, the Race to Turin, Djokovic is in 15th place, despite a match record of 23 wins and only five defeats. And the renewed triumph in Wimbledon. However, due to the exclusion of the Russian and Belarusian players, there were no world ranking points for him. If the Serb still has ambitions to take part in the season finale in Turin, a veritable final sprint is needed. Most points can be scored in Paris-Bercy, Djokovic can definitely be trusted to do the 1000s there.
The week before, Novak Djokovic waived a possible 500 points, unless he booked in either Basel or Vienna using a wildcard. The hunt for points starts on Monday in Tel Aviv, Djokovic starts in Israel as number one. The first big feedback will come today in London's O2 Arena. At a time when Roger Federer is already officially retired from tennis.
And Novak Djokovic can play twice: First in singles against Frances Tiafoe (from 8 p.m. CEST), then in doubles alongside Matteo Berrettini against Jack Sock and Alex de Minaur.