‘Don’t have time and energy,’ Novak Djokovic brushes aside claims of exaggerating injury

Novak Djokovic was seen training in Belgrade and appeared comfortable as he hit the ball and moved around the court. The 35-year-old tennis star sustained the injury at a warm-up event to the Australian Open but managed to go through the Grand Slam.

“It has healed, and I am close to being 100 percent ready. I’m still not there, but things are looking good and encouraging, so we made a decision as a team for me to go to Dubai (to participate in ATP tournament in UAE),” he told reporters.

Djokovic also brushed aside the claims of him exaggerating the extent of his injury. John McEnroe was also among the lot to question the incident.

“I really do not have time, energy or will to deal with every story that appears on the internet, or what someone says about something. I know what is right and what is true,” Djokovic added.

The 35-year-old Serbian remains at the top of the latest ATP rankings released on Monday bringing him level with the amount of weeks that Steffi Graf spent as women’s world number one — an all-time record.

Djokovic returned to number one spot for a seventh time after his victory in the Australian Open at the end of January, which was a record-equalling 22nd Grand Slam singles title.

The tennis star however is still set to miss the prestigious Indian Wells and Miami events in the spring, after US authorities extended until April their requirement for international visitors to be vaccinated.

Djokovic missed last year’s US Open for the same reason.

“The process is ongoing and that is all I know,” said Djokovic about his ability to play in upcoming US tournaments due to his vaccine status.

“These are things that are completely beyond my control. Of course, I would like to play.”