In an exclusive interview with CNN's Becky Anderson, Novak Djokovic reflected on his past matches with Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, saying that they made him mentally and physically stronger and improved his game. Djokovic, who recently withdrew from the Miami Open due to visa issues, expressed no regrets about ceding the world No. 1 ranking to Carlos Alcaraz and missing Indian Wells, both due to his decision not to get vaccinated against Covid-19. Despite missing these tournaments, Djokovic remains focused on the upcoming clay court season in Europe and his ultimate goal of winning more Grand Slam titles, including the French Open.
Djokovic also spoke about his business interests and foundation, emphasizing the importance of preparing for his future and surrounding himself with knowledgeable people in various fields. While Djokovic is tied with Rafael Nadal for the most men's Grand Slam singles titles, he still trails Serena Williams and Margaret Court on the all-time list, and he expressed admiration for Williams as an icon of the sport. Djokovic remains hopeful that he will be able to compete at the US Open later this year, which he considers the most important tournament for him on American soil.