CNN
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Novak Djokovic’s After a long absence from competitive tennis early last year he was deported Australia “helped him get some good results,” he told a news conference on Saturday 2023 Australian Open,
Djokovic played just two tournaments in the first four months of 2022 due to his decision not to get vaccinated against COVID-19, and as a result failed to comply with the travel rules of some of the tournament hosting countries.
However, this enforced time allowed him to spend more time training.
“As a professional tennis player at the highest level, there really isn’t much time for long training blocks,” Djokovic told reporters. “We have a very long season … you have a few weeks here and there.
“The fact that I wasn’t playing for several months at the beginning of last year gave me a chance to really connect with my team and work on my body, my strokes, which has subsequently given me some good results. helped to do.”
Later that year, Djokovic won his fourth consecutive Wimbledon title, as well as his sixth ATP Finals victory, and began 2023 in similar fashion with a win at the Adelaide International.
Djokovic’s goal of winning a 10th Australian Open title in Melbourne and more importantly, equaling the record for men’s Grand Slam titles – currently set by Rafael Nadal, aged 22 – will provide the 35-year-old with extra motivation.
“That’s why I continue to play professional tennis, compete, because I want to be the best, I want to win the biggest tournaments in the world,” he said.
“You have four Slams which historically have been the biggest events in our sport. It’s also one of the biggest reasons why I was really looking forward to coming back to Australia: because of my record here. I really love playing at Rod Laver Arena, especially the night sessions. I have had a lot of success which I hope can continue this year as well.”
Although Djokovic hurt his hamstring in the semi-finals of the Adelaide International last week and is “being a little more cautious” as a result, he says it is “hopefully not a big concern.”
“I am in very good shape,” he said. I ended the year in a good way and continued the same form in Adelaide. I like the way I played there. I have beaten some good players, especially in the last few matches of the tournament.
“I like my chances. I always like my chances.
Djokovic will begin his Australian Open campaign on January 17 against unseeded Roberto Carballes Baena of Spain.