Novak Djokovic has ‘zero regrets’ ahead of US comeback as he hushes retirement talk
Just under two years after his last match in the United States, Novak Djokovic will finally make his big American comeback on Tuesday as he admitted that the fire to continue playing is still burning strong.
He won’t feature in the singles on Tuesday as he will play alongside fellow Serbian Nikola Cacic in the men’s doubles at the Cincinnati Open before he switches to his preferred singles on Wednesday.
But there will no doubt be a sense of relief that he is finally back on US soil when he does take to the court as the past 23 months have been tumultuous for the tennis great.
From getting deported from Australia over his Covid-19 vaccination stance to being banned from entering the United States due to requirements for foreign travelers to claiming the outright record for most Grand Slams won by a man.
It has been a wild ride for the 36-year-old.
Djokovic sits on 23 majors following his successes at this year’s Australian Open and French Open and many believe he would have had a couple more had regulations not prevented from competing at Melbourne Park and New York last year.
However, the Serbian is not someone who talks about ifs and buts.
“Throughout my life I’ve really developed this kind of mindset that I don’t look back with regret on things,” Djokovic said. “Things happening on the outside, the reason I was not here for two years, I have zero regrets. I’m glad to be back. I’ve had plenty of success on American soil.”
He added: “I’m very excited to return to the country after two years; I’m very grateful for all the love that people are giving me.”
That success on American soil has seen him win three US Open titles as well as multiple ATP Masters trophies in Indian Wells, Miami and Cincinnati.
And he wants to add to that tally over the next few weeks starting at the Cincinnati Open – a place where he won titles in 2018 and 2020 – before heading to Flushing Meadows for the US Open.
In recent years there had been talk that Djokovic could consider retirement – he is on the wrong side of 30 after all – but that is clearly not in his mind just yet.
“I have to recover as quickly as possible and be ready to give my best for the exciting challenges that lie ahead,” the Serbian said “If I weren’t motivated, I would stop playing.
“It’s exciting that after almost 20 years on Tour, to keep that inner fire that drives me to fight for big goals. I want to keep winning tournaments.”
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