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Djokovic: “Now I don’t feel like a villain”

One year after being deported for his refusal to get vaccinated against COVID-19, Novak Djokovic He is back in Australia, this time, to play the first Grand Slam of the season. He played and triumphed last week in Adelaide, where he enjoyed the support of the majority of the fans, a feeling he experienced even more clearly on Friday in Melbourne when he played an exhibition match against the aussie idol Nick Kyrgios. The Serbian does not hold a grudge against the oceanic country, which pardoned him a three-year ban without being able to return. “If I had it, I couldn’t go on or play tennis,” he said on the media day of the tournament, at a press conference in which he assured that he is physically well.despite the muscular and knee problems with which he arrived.

Beneficial party against Kyrgios: “It was great to be back in Melbourne and at Rod Laver Arena playing with Nick for a great cause to a packed stadium. Lots of fans, great energy, great tennis. He was very happy that we could also play with the wheelchair tennis champions. I thought it was important to shine a light on them and everything they’re doing, which is really heroic. Also some future young stars. Honestly, I was really excited going on track because, as I said in the interview there, with the reception I got, I didn’t know what it was going to be like after the events of last year. I’m so grateful for the kind of energy and reception, love and support that I received.”

Feeling like a villain: “Not. It was more specific, you know, probably towards some media that portrayed me this way. That is in the past now. I don’t feel anything similar this year.”

Resentment: “In a way, if I held a grudge (for what happened), I probably wouldn’t be able to move on, I wouldn’t be here. I also have to say that the number of positive experiences I had in Australia far outweigh the negative experience last year. My impression of Australia, my vision of the country, has always been very positive and that has been reflected in my performance. My results are a testament to how I feel here. I really wanted to go back and play tennis because ultimately that’s what I do best, what I always wanted to do, what I wanted to do last year. I am really looking forward to playing in front of the crowd and I hope to bring them some fun and good vibes.”

a lot of training: “As a professional tennis player at the highest level, you don’t have a lot of time to have a longer training block, so to speak. We have a very long season. If you play bigger tournaments, four Slams, nine Masters 1,000, of course, another 500, 250, with your country, the season is very, very long. You have a few weeks here and there, apart from those four or five weeks that you have in the off-season, you don’t really have any longer training blocks, which is sometimes really necessary, and I think it’s very welcome in a way. Once you’re in that rhythm of play, of competition, you may not have time to address certain things about your game or your body. The fact that I was not playing for several months at the beginning of last year allowed me to really meet with my team and work on my body, on my shots, which later helped me achieve great results.

Physical problems: “Well, I’ve been struggling with it a bit, to be honest, for the last seven days. But hopefully it’s not the main concern. So far I have been able to train, compete and play points, practice sets. So that’s a positive sign. Obviously, I’m being a bit more cautious. I’m not going to the maximum in the training sessions, conserving energy for the next week. I hope it won’t cause me any trouble then.”

22 Grand Slams: “Of course I have that motivation (from drawing with Nadal). That’s why I keep playing professional tennis, competitive tennis, because I want to be the best, I want to win the biggest tournaments in the world. There is no secret about it. There is nothing bigger than this. You have four Slams that have historically been the biggest events in our sport. It’s also one of the main reasons I really wanted to go back to Australia: because of my record here. I love playing at Rod Laver Arena, especially the night sessions. I have had a lot of success that I hope can continue this year. I am in very good shape. I ended the year in the best possible way and continued that way in Adelaide. I like the way I played there. I beat some really good players, especially in the last few games of the tournament. I like my chances. I always like my chances. I train as hard as anyone out there. Now there are many young people who are very hungry, who want to win. They want to scalp you in the big stadium. I know that. I think the experience of being in these kinds of particular circumstances helps to have the right approach and do things the right way because I know that when I’m healthy and playing my best, on this court I really have a chance against anyone.”

rest and inactivity: “Ideally, you want to peak at the biggest tournaments. This is how I try to schedule my season. Of course, I talk to my coach and my team. We try to understand where we want to come out on top and where we want to try to win the trophy. I mean, I always do my best at every tournament, regardless of the category of the event. But I still understand that it takes some time, for example, on clay, which is a very different surface, it takes more time to build your game, so to speak, the intensity, the level of tennis, to get to the desired level probably for Roland Garros. That is always a goal. So at this stage of my career, of course, the biggest counts the most, the biggest events and trying to stay healthy, mentally fresh and cheerful on the court. It’s relevant, because at the end of the day it’s a good balance between setting goals and trying to achieve those goals and being professional about it, but also the other side is why you’re playing tennis. I choose to play, I love to play tennis. It brings me wonderful emotions. Sometimes not. It’s a great way to learn more about myself, I think to grow in life as a personality. Hopefully, I will also bring good emotions to people who watch me play live on the court or on TV. Knowing all this, I try to balance things, because it is a professional mission that I have, but at the same time it is also a personal mission. I try to enjoy every moment.”

Opinions of other tennis players on his return: “I haven’t really been asking, what do you guys think of me coming back here (smiling)? Those I spoke to have been very supportive. No one has been negative yet.”

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