WATCH: Novak Djokovic hits practice courts at Tipsarevic Tennis Academy ahead of the Monte Carlo Masters
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Novak Djokovic
After having a damp outing in his first tournament at the Dubai Tennis Championships, Novak Djokovic has returned to his hometown, Belgrade in Serbia.
Djokovic took to the practice courts at the Tipsarevic Tennis Academy and was seen doing some high-intensity drills. His fellow Serbian Janko Tipsarevic took to Instagram to post a photo with Djokovic and acknowledge him as the GOAT.
“Got a special guest, helping us out today,” Tipsarevic posted. Viktor Troicki among other players was also seen in attendance at the academy.
Djokovic’s presence in Belgrade, all but confirms that he will be missing the Sunshine Double. The World No.2 is still included in the main draw of Indian Wells, but Djokovic himself admitted that he will not be allowed to enter the United States as he is still not vaccinated and doesn’t satisfy the vaccine compliances required to enter the country. With this, the 34-year-old is likely to miss the subsequent Masters tournament at the Miami Open as well. He will next be seen in action at the Monte Carlo Masters in April.
Djokovic receives green light for French Open
After being through such torrid times, there was some respite for Djokovic after France lifted Covid restrictions which means the Serb will be allowed to defend his title at the Roland Garros. France has decided to scarp the vaccine pass after the situations in the country eased, this makes Djokovic’s participation at the French Open much less complicated than the ordeal he went through in Australia. With this, the Serb is cleared to compete at the Monte Carlo Masters as well, which is the curtain-raiser for the claycourt swing.
The 20-time Grand Slam champion has played only one tournament so far, which ended with a shock loss to Czech qualifier Jiri Vesely in straight sets in the quarter-finals of the Dubai Tennis Championship. His defeat also meant his reign at the top of the standing which he held for a staggering 361 weeks ended and he had to cede his No.1 ranking to Daniil Medvedev.
Now with missing both the masters’ tournaments at the Sunshine Double, Djokovic will be dropping valuable ranking points, which makes his chances of regaining the top spot a bit tougher. With so much at stake, the 34-year-old will be raring to compete again at major tournaments and return to his title-winning ways.
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T Rushitha
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