Novak Djokovic is motivated to compete again for biggest titles

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Novak Djokovic is ready to move on from the controversy surrounding his refusal to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

"I miss competition," the Serbian tennis star said Sunday on the opening day of the clay-court season at the Monte Carlo Masters in Monaco. "I still feel motivation to be on the tour and compete… and try to challenge the best players in the world for the biggest titles."

The 20-time Grand Slam champion has played only one tournament so far in 2022, losing to Jiri Vesely in the quarterfinals of the Dubai Championships.

Djokovic could not defend his Australian Open title in January after he was deported from the country for not being inoculated.

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FILE - Serbia's Novak Djokovic celebrates after defeating Italy's Lorenzo Sonego in their semifinal match at the Italian Open tennis tournament, in Rome, May 15, 2021. Djokovic won 6-3 6-7 6-2 and will play Rafael Nadal in the final. Novak Djokovic is ready to move on from the controversy surrounding his refusal to get vaccinated against COVID-19. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia, File)

More recently, he had to skip tournaments in Indian Wells, California, and Miami because he couldn’t travel to the United States for the same reason.

He has declared that he would not get the vaccine in order to be able to compete.

It has been a turbulent start to 2022 for Djokovic, who went through detention and a court case during an 11-day saga in Australia before he was sent home and not allowed to defend his title at Melbourne Park.

Rafael Nadal went on to win the Australian Open for his 21st major trophy, breaking a tie with Djokovic and Roger Federer.

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