Djokovic ready to focus on clay-court season; no regrets about missing Indian Wells and Miami

The 35-year-old is set to begin his clay-court campaign in Monte-Carlo next month

March 21, 2023

Novak Djokovic says he’s focused on the clay-court season and has no regrets about not being able to play in the Indian Wells and Miami Masters 1000 events.

Speaking to CNN, Djokovic said he wanted to look forward and hopes that he will be allowed into the United States to play the US Open in September.

“I really want to be playing there, want to be there,” Djokovic said. “I actually had, in 2021 when I lost in the finals against (Daniil) Medvedev, probably the one of best moments I ever had with the New York crowd and I’ve been fortunate to win that tournament three times, play many finals.

“Even though I lost that match, I received a lot of love and appreciation from people and I want to go back and I want to reconnect with the crowd there. So that’s something I’m looking forward to and hopefully it will happen.”

Novak Djokovic tears — AI / Reuters / Panoramic

“No regrets” over missing Sunshine double

Djokovic lost his No 1 ranking to Indian Wells champion Carlos Alcaraz thanks to his absence in the desert, the US’s entry rules currently denying entry for non-citizens who are not vaccinated against Covid-19.

The 35-year-old congratulated Alcaraz on regaining the No 1 ranking and insisted he’s only looking ahead.

“No, I have no regrets,” he said. “I’ve learned through life that regrets only hold you back and basically make you live in the past and I don’t want to do that.

“I had plenty of success there, but at the same time, it is the conscious decision I made and I knew that there is always a possibility that I won’t go, and it is the current state or current situation that I hope will change for later this year for the US Open,” he said. “That is the most important tournament for me on the American soil.”

Djokovic, who will be bidding for a record 23rd Grand Slam title at Roland-Garros in May, is set to begin his clay-court campaign at the Monte-Carlo Masters, which begins on April 9.