Djokovic does not regret missing two Masters 1000 tournaments

"I have no regrets," Djokovic told CNN on March 21. "I've learned in life that regret only holds you back and makes you live in the past. I've been successful there many times, but the decision not to get vaccinated was made consciously. I know that. "I always have the possibility of not being able to attend the major tournaments. I hope this situation will change at the US Open in August. It is the most important tournament for me in the US."

Djokovic has been banned from entering the US because he has not been vaccinated against Covid-19. That means he cannot attend the BNP Paribas Open and Miami Open tournaments, belonging to the "Double Sunshine" series in the US.

Djokovic missed his appointment with eight major tournaments because he did not have a vaccine passport. Not being able to attend the Masters at Indian Wells recently also made him lose the top of the ATP table to Carlos Alcaraz - the champion of the tournament. "Congratulations Alcaraz, he deserves to be number one again," Djokovic praised the 19-year-old junior.

"Unfortunately Djokovic missed both of the Masters 1000 tournaments at the beginning of the year," said BNP Paribas Open runner-up Daniil Medvedev. "I'm sure everyone wants him to play. If Djokovic or Nadal hadn't been injured and were in tournaments, the rankings would have been different. But Alcaraz also deserves the top spot in the ATP rankings. He won a lot. More points than anyone in the last 52 weeks. He also finished last year number one in the world, which is something I need to try to do in my career."

Djokovic will return to the Masters 1000 clay in Monte Carlo, starting April 9. He won't compete for the next two weeks, but could still return to world number one if Alcaraz fails to win the Miami Open. The race between Alcaraz and Djokovic promises to continue to be intense in the clay season, when Djokovic has to defend 1,880 points and Alcaraz is 1,870 points.