The World No. 1’s personal choice of foregoing the COVID-19 vaccination has already robbed him of the 2022 season’s Australian swing. As for the events for the rest of the year, they are mostly still up in the air. One of the very few confirmed events in the 20-time Grand Slam champion’s calendar is the Dubai Tennis Championships, where he faces off against Lorenzo Musetti on Monday.

Speaking at his press conference before the encounter, the 34-year-old revealed that his love for the game was enough to insulate him from any anxiety regarding his future. He was also very thankful to his family and team for sticking by his side during these difficult times.

The World No. 1 further added that he didn’t plan on playing in every tournament throughout the year, even before the vaccination situation arose. His top priority was playing at the Grand Slams, followed by some Masters 1000 tournaments and representing his home country at events like the Davis Cup. As long as he can achieve that, Djokovic has no regrets about his choices.

Djokovic also disclosed that he was deeply affected by what transpired in Australia at the beginning of the year. The Serb was deported from the country after a drawn-out legal battle and could not defend his title at the Australian Open.

But after a few days of introspection and resetting himself mentally, the World No. 1 was back in the headspace needed to practice. He stated that he has enjoyed training since then, and is looking forward to playing tennis again.

The 20-time Grand Slam champion credited his passion for the game once again for helping him overcome the ordeal. Djokovic remarked that he did not sulk for too long because he knew that certain aspects of his game needed improvement, which all but forced him to pick up the tennis racquet.

“I don’t just see life after tennis, I see tennis in my life forever” - Novak Djokovic

As for his post-retirement plans, Novak Djokovic expressed the desire to spend the rest of his life with tennis as the focal point. After he finishes being a professional player, he wants to focus on his tennis academy in Belgrade, which he referred to as his “life project.”

Being a father on top of that, Djokovic was not too bothered about what he was going to do after his playing days were over. The only thing he was certain about was that he had to give back to the sport as much as it had given him over the years, or at the very least try his best to do so.

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