CNN
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World tennis primary Novak Djokovic is eager for “a optimistic outcome” on US tennis event participation forward of subsequent month’s Indian Wells and Miami Open tournaments, after making use of for particular permission to play there.
America nonetheless requires worldwide guests to be vaccinated in opposition to Covid-19, and the Serbian, who has beforehand confirmed that he stays unvaccinated, has now utilized for particular permission to enter the nation forward of each tournaments, which begin on March 6 and March 20 respectively.
“Look, final 12 months I did miss each Indian Wells, Miami and all of the US Open swing,” 22-time grand slam winner Djokovic advised reporters in Belgrade on Wednesday.
“So it wouldn’t be the primary time if it does occur. I imply, I hope it doesn’t, however that’s all I can do. All I can do is hope in the meanwhile as a result of, you understand, my place stays the identical. There’s not a lot else I can do besides want for a optimistic outcome,” he stated.
Casting a watch to the US Open grand slam on the finish of August, the 35-year-old stated: “Properly, (the) US Open continues to be distant, you understand, it’s six months away. So I, I hope that I can be there. I can’t provide you with any extra solutions actually to that. , US Open is likely one of the 4 greatest occasions within the historical past of our sport. So, after all, I might like to be there.
“(I’ve) obtained essentially the most lovely reception and assist (from) the New York and American crowd throughout the finals of 2021, that I, sadly, misplaced to [Daniil] Medvedev. However I skilled one thing that I by no means skilled in New York, so I actually need to return and join with individuals much more and, hopefully, play the perfect tennis and ultimately get one other trophy there,” the 22-time grand slam champion stated.
When requested about whether or not the controversy concerning his Covid-19 vaccine stance has affected his tennis, Djokovic replied, “Properly, I feel (that) the latest ends in Australia present that it doesn’t have an effect on my tennis a lot.”
Djokovic returned to world No. 1 when he received a document tenth Australian Open final month. It was his twenty second main title, which tied him with Rafael Nadal for essentially the most grand slam singles titles in males’s tennis historical past.
This week, the 35-year-old achieved one other milestone in his illustrious tennis profession, equaling Steffi Graf’s document for essentially the most weeks as world No. 1.
Djokovic already holds the document for essentially the most weeks as males’s world No. 1, surpassing Roger Federer’s mark of 310 weeks in March 2021, and on Monday, he drew degree with German nice Graf by starting his 377th week within the high spot.
He subsequent takes to the courtroom on the Dubai Obligation Free Tennis Championships, which will get underway on February 27.
