Djokovic “heavy burden” after controversy over entry into Australia

Madrid. The quarter-finals in Dubai, the opening defeat in Monte Carlo, the final defeat in Belgrade: There are unusual defeats behind tennis-dominated Novak Djokovic, which he looks back on with his nervous days in Melbourne. In an interview with the 34 – year – old Serbian tennis channel, he said, “These are situations I have never encountered in my life.

Djokovic failed to fight the authorities at the beginning of the year to enter Australia because he refused to be vaccinated. “It was something completely unexpected that affected me more mentally and emotionally than physically,” the tennis superstar said four months later. Only in the last few weeks has he been able to recover from it: “I tried to turn it into positive energy.”

Novak Djokovic hopes to win French Open

Among the clay court masters in Madrid, the world number one wins well. Without losing a single set, Djokovic advanced to the semifinals against young Spanish player Carlos Alcaras (Saturday, 4pm / Sky). His big target is the French Open in Paris (starting May 22), where Djokovic wants to catch up with his 21st Grand Slam title record holder Rafael Nadal (Spain). (Sid)