Novak Djokovic says he nonetheless has a ‘nice want’ to compete as he makes his first return to aggressive tennis for the reason that Australian Open fiasco.
The world primary will make his return in Dubai this week and has been drawn towards Italian teenager 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’s not a part of the anti-vax motion, he’s unvaccinated towards COVID and would somewhat miss future tournaments, together with Grand Slams if crucial, somewhat than obtain the jab.
Now, as Djokovic returns to the ATP tour, he admits he want to play as many tournaments as potential however that the choice is out of his arms.
“I want to play in lots of tournaments,” Djokovic instructed Serbian RTS.
“I’m at the moment in a scenario the place it doesn’t rely on me. It relies on guidelines of sure international locations through which tournaments are happening,” he stated.
“In the mean 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 court docket.”
Djokovic says regardless of his warning concerning the vaccination, he’ll preserve an open thoughts and can proceed to guage the scenario as guidelines change.
“I prepare exhausting, and naturally I’ve a fantastic want to compete in Grand Slams and all nice ATP tournaments.
“We’ll see, the principles are continuously altering. I preserve an open thoughts and I’m not unique. I’m making an attempt to know this entire scenario relating to the pandemic and struggle towards the virus like each different citizen on the planet” he continued.
“I’ve data that everybody else has, and I’m making an attempt, as skilled a sportsman, which was all the time the case, to triple-check something that goes into my physique and through which method that may have an effect on me.
“If something adjustments half a per cent, I can really feel that.
“Merely, at that prime tennis stage, each change can produce optimistic or destructive outcomes. I’m merely cautious, and I took a while for myself earlier than I decide.”
The opposite prime seeds competing for the Dubai Open Championship embrace Andrey Rublev (2), Felix Auger-Aliassime (3) and Jannik Sinner (4).
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