Novak Djokovic's massive confession after losing World No.1 ranking
Novak Djokovic has made the massive admission that he's concerned about the number of events he will miss because of his refusal to get vaccinated.
Djokovic suffered a shock quarter-final loss to Jiri Vesely in Dubai on Thursday, handing the World No.1 ranking to Daniil Medvedev in the process.
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The Russian will officially take Djokovic's top spot on Monday when the ATP rankings are updated.
And it's hard to see how Djokovic will be able to regain his mantle considering his refusal to get the Covid-19 jab.
Dubai is one of the few events on the ATP calendar without a vaccination mandate, meaning Djokovic will be severely limited in the tournaments he is allowed to play.
He admitted earlier this week that he won't be able to play the upcoming Masters 1000 events in Indian Wells and Miami, while his status for the remaining grand slams this year is unclear.
The 34-year-old conceded on Thursday that not being able to recapture the rhythm of matches because of his vaccination status could prevent him from competing consistently.
"It is (a concern). The more matches I play, the more comfortable I get on the court," he admitted.
"I need the match play. I didn't have many matches at all last few months. Let's see.
"Obviously I'll have to follow the situation, see how it goes. Wherever I get an opportunity to play, I will.
"Hopefully that will be soon."
Jiri Vesely 6-4 7-6 Novak Djokovic in Dubai.
Vesely now leads their head-to-head 2-0!
The result also means that Daniil Medvedev will be ATP No.1 next week - the first time someone outside the Big 4 has been No.1 since Andy Roddick on 1st February 2004.
That’s 6958 days ago.— The Tennis Podcast (@TennisPodcast) February 24, 2022
Novak Djokovic vows to keep fighting
Djokovic's record 361-week reign at the summit of the rankings will come to an end on Monday, but he says he remains motivated to get back on court and keep fighting for the biggest titles in the sport.
Medvedev will become the first man not named Djokovic, Nadal, Roger Federer or Andy Murray to hold the No.1 ranking since Andy Roddick in 2004.
"My goal is to keep on playing tennis. That's the ultimate goal," Djokovic said.
"For as long as I really feel like it, to be honest, and as long as I can play, as long as my body allows me, as long as the circumstances in my life as well.
"Of course I'm still motivated and I'm still pissed off when I lose a match.
"I care about it. I care about winning every match, as anybody else on the tour, regardless of the age.
"I'm actually glad that I'm feeling a lot of emotions every single day because it means that I really want to be part of this sport, part of the tour."
Vesely is currently ranked down at World No.123, but the Czech has been playing well above that this week.
The 28-year-old is the lowest-ranked player to beat Djokovic for almost four years.
"It's an amazing feeling. I never really thought I would have a chance against Novak," Vesely said.
"He is one of the greatest of all time.
"It is great for tennis to have someone new at World No.1.
"Novak is such a champion, he has been number one for 361 weeks, but tennis needs new world number ones and there is a new generation coming up."
with agencies
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