Missing Miami title defense was refreshing, says Djokovic
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[April 05, 2017]
By Zoran Milosavljevic
BELGRADE (Reuters) - Sitting out last
week's Miami Open was rejuvenating for Novak Djokovic although it
meant missing the chance to win a record seventh title in the
tournament, Serbia's world number two said on Tuesday.
Djokovic missed the Masters series event with an elbow injury and,
having recovered, is eager to face Spain in the Davis Cup
quarter-finals in front of a boisterous home crowd next weekend.
"Of course I wanted to be on the court and defend my title but it
just didn't happen this time," Djokovic told a news conference in
the Serbian capital's Aleksandar Nikolic arena.
"At the same time, it was also rather refreshing to get some rest
and sit out Miami at home with my wife and son. It was quality
family time which I don’t get enough of and it made me very happy,"
he said.
"A hardcourt tie is not an ideal preparation for the clay court
season but given that I was away for a few weeks after a patchy
start to the season, I need as many matches as possible to get back
into my stride irrespective of the surface."
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Djokovic added: "The Davis Cup is a very special event as it
generates the kind of home crowd atmosphere you don’t see on the ATP
Tour, so I am really looking forward to performing in front of our
fans. I always draw very positive energy from the Davis Cup as it
invariably brings out the best in me."
Having dominated for several years to rack up 12 grand slam
tournaments after clinching his maiden French Open title last June,
Djokovic then suffered a dramatic loss of form which saw him ousted
as the world number one by Briton Andy Murray.
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![](../images/040517pics/sports75.jpg)
Novak Djokovic (SRB) and Nick Kyrgios (AUS) gather their bags to
enter the court their fourth round match in the BNP Paribas Open at
the Indian Wells Tennis Garden.
Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
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With Murray also playing in fits and starts in the
early stages of the season, Djokovic heaped praise on the evergreen
Roger Federer after the Swiss maestro won the Miami Open following
his Australian Open triumph in January.
"What Federer has accomplished this year is admirable and it shows
that one can play at the top level even at his age. He’s had his ups
and downs in the last three or four years but came back swinging and
revitalized after a six-month layoff last year," said Djokovic.
He said the Miami Open final between Federer and Nadal was "as
outstanding as anyone might have expected from the greatest rivalry
ever".
Nadal will skip Spain's clash with Serbia.
(Editing by Mark Heinrich) [© 2017 Thomson Reuters. All
rights reserved.]
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