The start of 2021 was a bit of a rollercoaster for Novak Djokovic. However, his triumph at the February Australian Open was a highlight, marking his 9th win at the event and bringing his total Grand Slam count to 18—just two away from the all-time lead. Additionally, he made history this month by spending more weeks at the top of the ATP rankings than any other player in history.
Novak Djokovic may not have begun his 2021 superior. At the Australian Open in February, he won his 9th title which took his total count to 18 Grand Slams, placing two shy from his rivals’ records. During this month the Serbian tennis player also broke the all-time record for the most weeks at the top of the ATP rankings by a player.
Having fought his way back into top form, the Serbian athlete is slated to return to competition soon at the Miami Open. Although his past performances in Florida have been mediocre, the absence of several top-tier opponents this year provides him with a promising opportunity.
It's worth mentioning that the tournament will be missing key figures such as Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, and Dominic Thiem.
In a detailed conversation with 'Sputnik News,' Srdjan Djokovic highlighted how his son consistently looks out for the interests of lower-ranked professionals.
Speaking to Sputnik News, the 60-year-old Srdjan mentioned that Novak isn't bothered by the noise. He believes Novak possesses a typical Serbian resilience, suggesting that his son actually improves and plays better the more he is challenged by his own mistakes.
Srdjan also criticized Federer and Nadal, stating that Novak views tennis as more than just a sport—it's a way of life. He believes his son is fighting for the sake of the thousands of talented young athletes struggling to make it.
He argued that the other legends fail to back Novak on initiatives that would genuinely benefit underprivileged players. Srdjan expressed his confusion over why Federer and Nadal wouldn't support changes that would help struggling young athletes who are barely making a living.
Initially, the ATP froze the rankings due to the global pandemic, a decision that was controversially extended into 2021, frustrating many on the tour. Roger Federer arguably benefited from this more than anyone else. While his recent performance at the ATP Doha might not have been his peak, he likely feels he achieved what he set out to do there.