Novak Djokovic says he nonetheless has a ‘nice want’ to compete as he makes his first return to aggressive tennis because the Australian Open fiasco.
The world primary will make his return in Dubai this week and has been drawn in opposition to Italian teen Lorenzo Musetti within the first spherical.
The Serbian suffered a really public exit from the Australian Open following confusion over his medical exemption and subsequent perceived anti-vaccination stance which the Australian authorities deemed to be harmful.
Djokovic has since confirmed that though he isn’t a part of the anti-vax motion, he’s unvaccinated in opposition to COVID and would fairly miss future tournaments, together with Grand Slams if needed, fairly than obtain the jab.
Now, as Djokovic returns to the ATP tour, he admits he wish to play as many tournaments as potential however that the choice is out of his palms.
“I wish to play in lots of tournaments,” Djokovic advised Serbian RTS.
“I’m at present in a state of affairs the place it doesn’t rely upon me. It relies on guidelines of sure international locations during which tournaments are happening,” he stated.
“In the intervening time I do know that I can play in Dubai. That’s my subsequent problem. Subsequent event. The primary event this season. The primary event since this case in Australia, so I’m excited to get again on the tennis courtroom.”
Djokovic says regardless of his warning concerning the vaccination, he’ll hold an open thoughts and can proceed to guage the state of affairs as guidelines change.
“I prepare laborious, and naturally I’ve an incredible want to compete in Grand Slams and all nice ATP tournaments.
“We’ll see, the principles are always altering. I hold an open thoughts and I’m not unique. I’m attempting to know this entire state of affairs concerning the pandemic and combat in opposition to the virus like each different citizen on this planet” he continued.
“I’ve data that everybody else has, and I’m attempting, as skilled a sportsman, which was all the time the case, to triple-check something that goes into my physique and during which manner that may have an effect on me.
“If something modifications half a per cent, I can really feel that.
“Merely, at that high tennis degree, each change can produce optimistic or detrimental outcomes. I’m merely cautious, and I took a while for myself earlier than I decide.”
The opposite high seeds competing for the Dubai Open Championship embrace Andrey Rublev (2), Felix Auger-Aliassime (3) and Jannik Sinner (4).
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