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Tag: Novak Djokovic

Djokovic Talks About Medvedev Overtaking Him for Number 1 Spot

Posted on by Chirag

The current World No. 1 sits atop a long list of ATP candidates willing to win and take away the spot from the Serbian champion. 

Novak Djokovic has although almost lost his number one spot after being away from tennis due to legally not being allowed to play in Australia due to vaccine mandates. With the World Number 2, Daniil Medvedev reaching the finals in Australia, he jumped up the ratings drastically and is now very close to reach World No. 1

In an interview, Djokovic said, “It’s in his hands. He deserves to be No. 1,” Djokovic said Sunday before his season debut at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. “Eventually it’s going to happen. If it happens this week, I’ll be the first one to congratulate him.”

“The only scenario that I have in my head is to win every match that I play here,” Djokovic said.

“It’s great to be here. I’ve had some wonderful results in this tournament. It’s been a while since I played for the first time in [the] Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships,” Djokovic said. “[I have] many wonderful memories on and off the court.”

“It’s always a very solid, very hard draw and field. Every match you get to play is really on a Grand Slam, ATP Masters 1000 level. It is a 500 category, but it feels that it’s stronger than that definitely with the field of players,” Djokovic said. “I’m excited. I haven’t played a match since Davis Cup in Spain last December. Can’t wait to start an official match tomorrow night.”

“Of course, [my] first match is going to be very important to kind of start off the campaign in this year’s tournament in a positive way,” Djokovic said. “I have a young, very talented, tricky opponent in Lorenzo Musetti, who has had a big win over [Hubert] Hurkacz a few weeks ago in Rotterdam.”

Djokovic Keen On Playing in Dubai Amidst Vaccine Drama

Posted on by Chirag

The World No 1, Novak Djokovic has been quoted to be eager to play in Dubai after a controversial interview where he put his opinions and morales considering the vaccine on a higher level than any grand slam trophy this year. 

“I am excited to go back and play on Monday,” he told the media at Expo. “I miss tennis after all that has happened.”

“Yes, that is the price that I’m willing to pay,” he said.

“I was prepared not to go to Australia. I understand not being vaccinated today, I am unable to travel to most of the tournaments at the moment,” Djokovic added.

“The principles of decision making on my body are more important than any title or anything else,” he said.

“I was never against vaccination,” added Djokovic, who said he had received vaccines as a child. “But I’ve always supported the freedom to choose what you put in your body.”

ANother upcoming tournament is the Indian Wells in California which has only allowed vaccinated players to take part. However, Djokovic’s name has been included so it remains to be seen if the World No. 1 will be given exemption to enter the United States in a matter of three weeks. 

Rafael Nadal Talks About His Best Comeback Ever

Posted on by Chirag

The now 21 time Grand Slam winner spoke yesterday about his incredible performance at the Australian Open Finals on Sunday night against the World No. 2 Daniil Medvedev. 

The Spaniard now stands atop the likes of Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic who both came out to acknowledge and congratulate Rafa after he pulled off one of the best comebacks in Sports History.

“A few months ago we were joking about both being on crutches. Amazing, never underestimate a great champion.. Your incredible work ethic, fighting skill and dedication are an inspiration to me and countless others around the world. I am proud to share this era with you and honoured to play a role in pushing you to achieve more. As you have done for me for the past 18 years. I am sure you have more achievements ahead but for now, enjoy this one,” said Federer on his Instagram.

Meanwhile Djokovic said on twitter, “Congratulations to @RafaelNadal for 21st GS,” Djokovic said. “Amazing achievement. Always an impressive fighting spirit that prevailed another time.”

“Enhorabuena @Medwed33 gave it his all out there and played with the passion and determination we have come to expect from him.”

Nadal in his post match interview had this to say, “”First of all I know it’s a tough moment, Daniil, you are an amazing champion. I’ve been in this position a couple of times in this tournament, having chances to have the trophy with me, but I don’t have any doubt that you have had this trophy a couple of times in your career, because you’re amazing, so I want to congratulate you,” said the 35-year old. “It was one of the most emotional matches of my tennis career and to share a court with you is just an honour, so all the best in the future. I even don’t know what to say, guys. For me, it’s just amazing, being honest, one month and a half ago, I didn’t know if I was going to be able to be back on the tour playing tennis again. And today I’m here in front of all you with this trophy with me, and you don’t know how much I’ve fought to be here. I can’t thank you enough for all the support I’ve had since I arrived here, you are just amazing.”

https://twitter.com/AustralianOpen/status/1487791222299242502?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1487791222299242502%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.republicworld.com%2Fsports-news%2Ftennis-news%2Frafael-nadal-reflects-on-historic-21st-grand-slam-win-most-emotional-match-of-my-career-articleshow.html

Rafael Nadal Slides Through Australian Open Kick-Off

Posted on by cbtfhome

The 20 time Grand Slam winner Rafael Nadal started his Australian Open campaign this morning as he faced off against Marcos Giron the young American.

Giron, who had a similar style to Maxime, a fellow USA player who Nadal faced at the Melbourne Summer Set finals to win his first Melbourne championship. As expected, Nadal breezed past Giron in this opener in straight sets.

This is the first time Rafa has played a best of 5 since last year’s French Open where he unfortunately lost in the semi finals to fellow 20 time grand slam winner Novak Djokovic as he struggled with his knee and ankle issues again. 

Rafa displayed his amazing collection of beautiful shots as he completely ruled the court at the Rod Laver Arena against the young American. 

He started off calmly with a 2 games to 1 lead in the first set and then pulled out a no-look running lob to get his 3rd game. Since that moment it was all Rafael Nadal as he destroyed Giron with incredibly powerful forehands and absolutely genius backhands. 

Giron did manage to get in a few shots in the second set which prompted even Rafael Nadal to applaud the efforts. However, the former World No.1 proved too much for the World No. 66.

Nadal won the match 6-1, 6-3, 6-2 in his purple shirts and green bandana as he moved on to face the winner of the Hanfmann vs Kokkinakis on Wednesday morning. 

Over in the women’s side, Naomi Osaka and Victoria Azarenka were both in action as they teed off against their own respective opponents and won in straight sets quite comfortably.

Novak Djokovic’s Full Statement on Visa Situation

Posted on by cbtfhome

The former World no. 1 has finally spoken out about the entire situation which saw him detained in Australia, his Visa canceled and a court battle that he won. His statement reads the following;

“I want to address the continuing misinformation about my activities and attendance at events in December in the lead up to my positive PCR COVID test result.

This is misinformation which needs to be corrected, particularly in the interest of alleviating broader concern in the community about my presence in Australia, and to address matters which are very hurtful and concerning to my family.

I want to emphasise that I have tried very hard to ensure the safety of everyone and my compliance with testing obligations.

I attended a basketball game in Belgrade on 14 December after which it was reported that a number of people tested positive with COVID 19. Despite having no COVID symptoms, I took a rapid antigen test on 16 December which was negative, and out of an abundance of caution, also took an official and approved PCR test on that same day.

The next day I attended a tennis event in Belgrade to present awards to children and took a rapid antigen test before going to the event, and it was negative.

I was asymptomatic and felt good, and I had not received the notification of a positive PCR test result until after that event.

The next day, on 18 December I was at my tennis centre in Belgrade to fulfill a long-standing commitment for a L’Equipe interview and photoshoot. I cancelled all other events except for the L’Equipe interview.

I felt obliged to go ahead and conduct the L’Equipe interview as I didn’t want to let the journalist down, but did ensure I socially distanced and wore a mask except when my photograph was being taken.

While I went home after the interview to isolate for the required period, on reflection, this was an error of judgement and I accept that I should have rescheduled this commitment.

On the issue of my travel declaration, this was submitted by my support team on my behalf – as I told immigration officials on my arrival – and my agent sincerely apologises for the administrative mistake in ticking the incorrect box about my previous travel before coming to Australia. This was a human error and certainly not deliberate. We are living in challenging times in a global pandemic and sometimes these mistakes can occur. Today, my team has provided additional information to the Australian Government to clarify this matter.

While I felt it was important to address and clarify misinformation I will not be making any further comment out of utmost respect for the Australian Government and their authorities and the current process.

It is always an honour and a privilege to play in the Australian Open. The Australian Open is much-loved by players, fans and the community, not just in Victoria and in Australia, but around the globe, and I just want to have the opportunity to compete against the best players in the world and perform before one of the best crowds in the world.”

Djokovic Wins the Right to Stay in Australia as Deportation Still Looms Over his Head

Posted on by cbtfhome

The World No. 1 Novak Djokovic arrived in Australia a couple of weeks ago with a medical exemption from the Australian Open. He was then detained at the Melbourne Airport and subsequently at a cheap hotel nearby.

The hold was on the basis that he had failed to provide all information and documentation on arrival. That meant that Djokovic wasn’t vaccinated and thus wasn’t allowed in the country. However, post a court battle against Prime Minister Morrison, Djokovic has walked out a free man.

Yesterday the judge ruled that Djokovic is to be released from the hotel and is a free man in Australia immediately. The government lost the case and had to let Djokovic go free without any vaccination certifications and with Djokovic mentioning in the press that he does not and will not want to get vaccinated.

Djokovic has now been ruled free but however, the government still has the last call on deportation of any person. They can still deport Djokovic amidst non vaccination issues as he continues his way to the Australian Open in just 6 days.

With many sports people and critics talking about this situation there are two major sides. The first side is against the Djokovic treatment and believes he should be allowed to play with exemption as he can defend his title. The other side, with reason, says vaccination laws are important right now and to show that you will allow one person in your country who isn’t vaccinated just shows off an unfair judicial system.