iPhone | iPad
Android
Huawei
After featuring in six straight seasons in the Champions League Liverpool have failed to qualify for Europe's premier competition
KT APPDOWNLOAD
Unvaccinated Novak Djokovic has 'no regrets' about missing US tennis events
But the Serbian icon hoped that he would be allowed into the United States later this year for the US Open Grand Slam
Serbia's Novak Djokovic celebrates after he beats Poland's Hubert Hurkacz during their quarterfinal at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships on March 1. — AP
Novak Djokovic said he had no regrets about missing tournaments at Indian Wells and Miami due to his Covid-19 vaccination status but hoped that he would be allowed into the United States later this year for the US Open Grand Slam.
The US currently bars unvaccinated foreigners from entering the country, though the policy is expected to be lifted when the government ends its Covid emergency declarations in May.
Djokovic, 35, unsuccessfully applied to the US government for special permission to play at Indian Wells and Miami.
Carlos Alcaraz leapfrogged the Serb back into top spot in the world rankings after winning the Indian Wells title on Sunday.
"I have no regrets," Djokovic told CNN. "I've learned through life that regrets only hold you back and basically make you live in the past.
"I don't want to do that. I also don't want to live too much in the future. I want to be as much as in the present moment but of course think about future, create a better future.
"So I congratulate Alcaraz. He absolutely deserves to come back to number one."
Djokovic said it was a pity he was not allowed to compete in the US where he has enjoyed plenty of success including three of his 22 major titles.
"But at the same time, it's the conscious decision I made and I knew that there is always a possibility that I won't go," Djokovic said.
"It's the current state or current situation that I hope will change for later this year, for the US Open. That's the most important tournament for me on American soil."
The Serb said the controversy had not dented his enthusiasm for the sport.
"Actually, the contrary, I'm as enthusiastic as ever, as motivated as ever for the sport, my family, my foundation, all the projects and everything I'm doing off the court," he said.
"The dignity, and integrity, and staying true to myself, and my beliefs and my rights are above everything."
ALSO READ:
More news from Sports
One of them is on the verge of a fairytale promotion worth an estimated £170 million, the biggest financial prize in world football
FIA President Ben Sulayem discusses importance of preserving historic motorsports with Prince Albert
During the meeting, FIA President recognized Monaco and the Automobile Club de Monaco’s special place in the FIA and praised the country for its continued support of all motorsport disciplines
Spain's Carlos Alcaraz will hope to grab a rare opportunity and cash in on the absence of claycourt king Rafa Nadal
Between them Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina have won seven tournaments this year
First-time event will see world champion Usman Wazir headline mega show alongside boxers from the UAE, England, Bangladesh, Iran, Philippines, Turkey, Malaysia, Afghanistan, Indonesia, Germany and Cameron
Favourites were placed in the same half of the field in Thursday's draw and could face each other in the semifinals
The Moscow-born Kazakh has earned her place among the Roland Garros favourites this season by playing at a high level on the tour