Novak Djokovic will headline next week’s Dubai Tennis Championships despite admitting that he is yet to fully recover from his recent injury setback.
The world No.1 has enjoyed a dream start to the season by winning 12 matches in a row. He won his first title of the season at the Adelaide International before going on to claim a record-equalling 22nd Grand Slam title at the Australian Open. An achievement which has elevated him back to the top of the world rankings.
However, the Serbian has also been hampered by a hamstring issue which at one stage threatened to derail his winning streak. The exact details of the injury were never publicly disclosed by Djokovic’s team but the Australian Open tournament director, Craig Tiley, claimed the tennis star suffered a 3cm tear in the region.
“I’m not at 100 percent yet, but I’m getting closer. That’s why we made the decision together that I’m going to Dubai, I’m travelling tomorrow,” Djokovic told reporters in Belgrade on Wednesday afternoon.
“Ambitions are always the highest, regardless of the tournament.” He added.
Djokovic’s announcement comes amid uncertainty over his upcoming schedule. Next month the Tour moves to America where Masters 1000 events will be held in Indian Wells and Miami. As it currently stands Djokovic is not allowed to enter the country as he is unvaccinated against COVID-19. However, he has submitted an appeal for a special exemption to be given to him by authorities. America currently has a national public health emergency law in place to help curb the spread of the virus which will end in May.
“I am waiting for an answer, I would like to go, but it is not in my hands,” he said.
“I’m getting ready, but we’ll see in the next two weeks how things go. I’m glad I got the support of the tournament directors in Indian Wells and Miami. I hope the third party (American authorities) will give a positive response, that’s all I can say.”
When quizzed by reporters about the prospect of losing his appeal for a special exemption, the 35-year-old says there could be a silver lining to such a scenario which is that he will have more time to prepare for playing on the clay. Djokovic has won the French Open twice in his career so far which was in 2016 and 2021.
“Last year, for the first few months, I didn’t compete at all, not because of me and my health problems, but because of other reasons. This year everything started great but we’ll see. It (2023) started differently, I won Australia and I have a lot of self-confidence, so even if America doesn’t happen I’ll be in good shape,” Djokovic explained.
“I’ll have more time to prepare for clay, the most demanding surface. Nadal is the best player in history on that surface, I not bad either, and this year I will try to start the season better on clay, which was not the case in recent years.”
“The ultimate goal is always Roland Garros. I’m not sure what (other events) I’ll play on clay yet, but I know I’ll definitely play Monte Carlo and Banja Luka.”
Record-breaking reign and his future
Djokovic’s decision to speak with the media in his native Serbia coincides with the week where he has drawn level with Steffi Graf for the most weeks a player has held the world No.1 ranking (377). He is guaranteed to break this milestone next week regardless of how rival Carlos Alcaraz performs in Rio.
Alcaraz could draw level with Djokovic on points if he wins the South American event but wouldn’t be able to overtake him due to the ATP rulebook. If two players have the same points total, the first way to break the tie is to count the points won at majors, Masters 1000 events and the ATP Finals. In this scenario, Djokovic leads his Spanish rival by 5820 points against 5090.
“I am happy that I managed to catch up to Steffi Graf’s record. I have said countless times that this sport is everything in my life, I have subordinated everything to it and I am very lucky to have a great team of people around me, not only professional but also a family that gave me unreserved support to stand here today with all the achievements,” Djokovic commented.
As for how much longer he thinks he can keep going on the Tour, Djokovic says he has no plans to limit himself as he once again brushes aside speculation over his retirement.
“I don’t have a final number and a limit to which I will play, although people automatically start after 30 to ask the question in all sports when is the end. Me, Federer and Nadal have often encountered those questions since we passed 30,” he said.
“(The) hunger is still present, although I would characterize it more as a passion for sports and a desire for competition. I like to play tennis recreationally with my son, and with the children. It’s not that I have an aversion to tennis because it takes up a large part of my life, but professionally I have the desire to continue to record historical results.”
NOTE – Quotes have been translated from Serbian to English