Stunning detail in Novak Djokovic footage at Madrid Open
Novak Djokovic hasn't played in Madrid for three years, but the 20-time grand slam winner received a champions welcome upon his arrival ahead of a potential showdown with Rafa Nadal.
Djokovic is making just his second ATP 1000 event appearance this year having been ineligible for tournaments due to his unvaccinated status.
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The World No.1 also hasn't featured in a tournament with Nadal since Roland Garros in 2021.
Ahead of his Madrid Open campaign, the three-time winner of the tournament was greeted by a flock of fans in the nation's capital.
But the hype around his return didn't end there.
The World No.1 then returned to the practice court at the Madrid Open and was welcomed with a rousing reception from a packed house.
Djokovic arrives in Madrid, gets out the car, doesn't even get his belongings & goes straight to all the fans that are there to greet him & Novak immediately starts signing autographs, tennis balls & t-shirts!!
No player out there gives as much back to their fans than Djokovic!! https://t.co/TY7U4MJ65M— Reggie🐺🐊 (@Reggie61823972) May 1, 2022
Djokovic arrives pic.twitter.com/4EAnHM5raj
— muguruthless (@IdemoAna) April 30, 2022
And the stands were overflowing next door for Djokovic, who got a big cheer when he came to practice with Carreño Busta. pic.twitter.com/Ao4EDftzIU
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) April 30, 2022
While there has been plenty of controversy surrounding Djokovic in 2022, the World No.1 appears to be at home back on the court as he prepares to defend his Roland Garros crown.
Fans were quick to point out the hype Djokovic brings to the game.
So, Novak Djokovic has arrived in Madrid
(🎥 @deportes_rtve) pic.twitter.com/dgNEaIOJ7R— We Are Tennis (@WeAreTennis) May 1, 2022
First practice with Carreno Busta pic.twitter.com/dv5EJDAGzr
— muguruthless (@IdemoAna) April 30, 2022
Despite his form on clay in 2021, Djokovic has a harder task this year of gaining ATP points.
Having missed most of 2022 so far, the World No.1 was knocked out in the Round of 32 at the Monte Carlo Open.
He went on to reach the final of the Serbia Open, before falling to Andrey Rublev.
Carlos Alcaraz, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic all in the top half of the Madrid draw.
Alcaraz-Nadal is a potential QF.— José Morgado (@josemorgado) April 29, 2022
The Madrid Open draw will also pose some difficulties.
In form Spanish superstar Carlos Alcaraz and 13-time grand slam winner Nadal are on the same side of the draw as the Serbian.
Novak Djokovic said over Boris Becker sentence
Djokovic enters the Madrid Open having found out his friend and former coach Boris Becker would spend time in jail for hiding $4 million worth of assets and loans to avoid paying his debts.
After retiring as a player, Becker turned to commentary and coached Djokovic for three years starting in December of 2013.
Speaking ahead of the Madrid Open on Sunday, Djokovic told reporters: "Just heartbroken for him."
"He's a friend, a long-time friend, a coach for three, four years, someone I consider close in my life and has contributed a lot to my success in my career.
"I'm not going to get into details of the verdict, because I'm not in a position to do that, but, as his friend, I'm super sad for him.
"It's not much that you can say."
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