Madrid (Spain) – Awarded on Monday night with yet another Laureus award, chosen as the best sportsman of 2023, Serbian Novak Djokovic spoke briefly to the press at the event that took place in Madrid. The world number 1 regretted his absence at the local Masters 1000, stated that he hopes to return in Rome and reinforced his focus on the Grand Slam and the Olympic Games.
“Unfortunately I won’t be able to play in Madrid this year. I intend to play in Rome. This year was a little different for me, I still haven’t found my best level of tennis and I hope to do so at Roland Garros”, noted the owner of 24 Slam titles, who has yet to win titles in the current season, totaling 11 wins and 4 defeats.
At 36 years old, the Serbian says he is preparing his body for his main goals of the year. “Especially for Roland Garros, Wimbledon, the Olympics and the US Open, which are the most important part of the season for me,” said Djokovic.
In 2023, Djokovic’s best campaigns were the semifinals of the Australian Open, losing to the Italian Jannik Sinner, who later became champion, and the Masters 1000 in Monte Carlo, beaten by the Norwegian Casper Ruud. He also played in the Indian Wells Masters 1000, where he was surprised by Italian Luca Nardi in the third round, and the United Cup, going to the quarterfinals with Serbia.
