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Djokovic missed the 2022 Australian Open and
was deported from the country due to being unvaccinated against
COVID-19 before returning this year to clinch a record-extending
10th title at Melbourne Park and 22nd major to reclaim the
number one spot.
He was forced out of big tournaments in the United States last
year, including the U.S. Open, as he was unable to enter the
country due to his refusal to take his shots.
The 35-year-old also received no points for winning the
Wimbledon title due to the grasscourt Grand Slam being penalised
for its decision to ban players from Russia and Belarus over
Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.
"I think this is the least points I've had as number one. It
happens," Djokovic told reporters following his win over Tomas
Machac in Dubai on Tuesday.
"It's not only due to my circumstances of not playing a couple
of Grand Slams and everything that happened last year, but also
other players, some players missing some slams for injuries,
some not having the biggest consistency.
"I guess that makes the achievement bigger, at least in my
team's and my eyes. I'm overwhelmed with pride. I work as hard
as anybody else. I'm really committed to the sport. And I try."
Djokovic is now into his 378th week as the world number one,
surpassing Steffi Graf's record for the most weeks at the top of
the sport.
But he said younger players like Carlos Alcaraz and Stefanos
Tsitsipas will eventually catch up with him.
"These guys are playing at a high level constantly. They're
playing a lot of tournaments. I'm not playing as much and don't
plan to play as many weeks as they do," Djokovic said.
"Eventually they'll take the number one, then I'll bring it back
again, then they'll take it again. We'll go in circles."
(Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar in Bengaluru; Editing by
Christopher Cushing)
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