Djokovic blasts injury doubters as star hopes for US vaccine reprieve

BELGRADE — Top-ranked tennis ace Novak Djokovic on Wednesday said he was close to 100 percent after battling through a hamstring injury during his winning sweep at the Australian Open last month.

Djokovic appeared light on his feet as he hit balls and moved around the court with apparent ease at his tennis center in the Serbian capital Belgrade.

The 35-year-old pulled his hamstring before the Australian Open, having won a warm-up event in Adelaide, and was badly hampered at times at Melbourne Park, particularly in the early rounds.

"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," he told reporters, referring to the upcoming ATP tournament in the United Arab Emirates.

Amid a flurry of questions following a practice session, Djokovic brushed off suggestions that his hamstring issue had been a stunt — following accusations in Melbourne that he exaggerated the extent of the injury.

"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," he added.

The Serbian star 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 No 1 — an all-time record.

Djokovic returned to No 1 spot for a seventh time after his victory in the Australian Open at the end of January, which was a record-tying 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 against COVID-19.

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

Djokovic has asked American authorities for special permission to enter the United States to play tournaments in California and Florida despite being unvaccinated against the coronavirus.

The Transportation Security Administration has said the requirement for foreign air travelers to be fully vaccinated against the disease would be in place at least until mid-April. The tournament in Indian Wells will be played from March 6-19 and the Miami Open is scheduled from March 20-April 2.

"Everything is currently in the process," Djokovic said at his training ground in Belgrade. "I have a big desire to be there.

"I am really thankful to the Indian Wells and Miami tournament (officials) and community for their support publicly and they would like me to be able to play in their tournaments."

Djokovic is one of the most high-profile athletes who is unvaccinated against COVID-19.

Last year, Djokovic was deported from Australia ahead of the Australian Open because of his vaccination status. Djokovic returned to the tournament in January after Australia lifted its strict vaccine mandate to win his 22nd Grand Slam title, tying the record with Rafael Nadal.

Djokovic said that Nadal remains his biggest on-court rival despite the rise of 19-year-old Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz, who had been at the top of the rankings before a leg injury prevented him from playing at the Australian Open.

" (Alcaraz) is arguably the next biggest thing in our sport, or he's already there," Djokovic said. "I just feel that the rivalry with Nadal is something that is difficult to eliminate.

"Nadal has been the biggest rival and he probably will remain the biggest rival I ever had in my career."

Agencies