'I have the utmost respect for Novak Djokovic', says top coach

• Tennis News
• Novak Djokovic

The choice not to get vaccinated against the Coronavirus has created many problems for Novak Djokovic. The world number 1 was unable to defend his title at the Australian Open, also suffering serious damage to his image. At the end of a soap opera that lasted almost two weeks, the Serbian star was sent home by the Minister of Immigration Alex Hawke.

As if that weren't enough, Nole had to watch helplessly as Rafael Nadal's triumph at Melbourne Park. The Spaniard has thus overtaken Roger Federer and Djokovic himself in the all-time ranking of the Majors. The 34-year-old from Belgrade also missed the Masters 1000 in Indian Wells and Miami, despite the fact that he hoped to the last in a change of rules.

The 20-time Grand Slam champion has only played in Dubai this year, succumbing in the quarterfinals to a wild Jiri Vesely. Djokovic will play the tournaments in Monte Carlo and Belgrade, which will help him regain confidence in view of Madrid and Rome.

His goal is to reach Roland Garros 100% in order to defend the title he won last year. In the latest episode of the 'Match Point Canada' podcast, well-known coach Rob Steckley broke a spear in Novak's favor.

Djokovic is one of the current big three

"I have the utmost respect for Novak Djokovic and I think a lot of people questioned that at the beginning but when you really know his story and his beliefs that I think that's what humanity is all about right, that's what he believes in," Rob Steckley said.

"And I gained a lot of respect after listening to his story in Australia." Novak Djokovic is one of the current big three. He was denied participation at the Australian Open and subsequent tournaments due to the Covid-19 regulations.

Owing to this, there were speculations regarding his participation at French Open. However, the recent alterations in covid related restrictions by the French government opened a new windown for the Serbian tennis ace to make a comeback.

The French Open tournament director Amelie Mauresmo earlier addressed the questions regarding Novak’s position in the upcoming tournament and said, “As things stand, nothing stands in the way of Djokovic taking part in the French Open”.

Thereby, giving a chance to the 20 times Grand Slam champion of defending his title on the clay courts of France. Following the Australian Open withdrawal, Novak Djokovic made a quick comeback in the Dubai tennis championship.

He had a run-up till the quarterfinals in the hard courts of Dubai. However, owing to similar issues as in Australia, he had to keep his distance from the sunshine double as well.