Novak Djokovic is 7-2 on the season after reaching the Australian Open final and the Indian Wells round of 16. The 38-year-old Serb skipped the entire Middle-East swing and later withdrew from the Miami and Monte-Carlo Masters, raising doubts about his schedule this year.
But there might finally be some good news for Djokovic fans, as Benoit Maylin reported that the veteran Serb will return to action at the Madrid Masters, starting April 22.
The top two seeds, Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, are expected to sit out the Masters event in Madrid, which could give Djokovic an opportunity to win his first title of the season. Both Sinner and Alcaraz sat out of the Madrid Masters last year.
Sinner has won three Masters titles in a row, and although he is currently listed in the main draw at Madrid, the Italian could seek an extended break from the tour and resume play at home in the Rome Masters. Sinner’s coach Simone Vagnozzi suggested that his participation in Madrid would depend on how he feels physically and mentally.
Meanwhile, Alcaraz sustained a serious injury to his right wrist, forcing him to withdraw from the Barcelona Open. While the full extent of the injury is yet to be determined, the Spaniard has made it clear that he will travel home to begin recovery quickly and avoid further aggravation, making his chances of playing in Madrid next week slim.
Novak Djokovic Feels He Has “Not Completed Tennis” Yet
The 24-time Grand Slam champion is arguably one of the greatest players to have ever stepped on the court. Reaching the Australian Open final earlier this year was a testament to his longevity and perseverance on court.
But Djokovic feels he might not be done playing just yet, as he has not ‘completed tennis’ and wants to keep striving for more. Winning the gold medal for Serbia at the Paris Olympics was his ultimate dream, but he feels he has more to play for in the future.
“Olympic gold was a lifelong dream for me. I went to four Olympic Games, and for a long time, that medal was missing. To win in Paris, at 37, representing Serbia, is without question one of the greatest moments of my career,” Djokovic told esquire.
“Standing there, singing the national anthem, holding the gold medal – it’s a feeling that stays with you forever, not just in your memory but in your whole body. I’ve never experienced emotions like that on a tennis court before. The tears just came, naturally. It was very pure, very powerful. But I don’t feel like I’ve ‘completed’ tennis,” he added.
It will be interesting to see Djokovic’s approach if he takes the court in Madrid next week and how he fares against a competitive draw.
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