“How are you feeling after contracting COVID in Abu Dhabi on December 20?
I was very ill. The feelings were not good during these seven days, especially the first four days which were very hard. But since then, I’m getting better every day. If you had told me I was going to be in this position today a month ago, of course I would have signed right away.
Do you think you are physically capable of holding a match in five sets?
We’ll see. I can’t give you a clear or precise answer because I haven’t played best of five since Roland Garros. I’ve only played three games in the last six months. But every day that I spend on the court, I think it’s positive. When you come back from injuries, you have to accept that things are not going to be perfect and accept that there are, of course, greater chances of losing. To accept this is to give yourself the chance to play with the best possible attitude. I want to give the best of myself. I want to give myself a chance to keep enjoying this beautiful sport, to keep fighting for the things I’ve been fighting for for so many years.
There has been a lot of talk about Djokovic in recent days. How different do you think this tournament would be with him or without him?
I’ll tell you one thing. It’s very clear that Novak Djokovic is one of the best players in history. But there is not a single player in history who is more important than a tournament. Players stay and then leave, and other players arrive. Nobody, not even Roger (Federer), Novak, myself, or Björn Borg who was incredible in his time. The tennis continues. If Novak doesn’t play, the Australian Open will be a great Australian Open with or without him.
“Tennis is irrelevant compared to what we are facing now
What should sport take away from this situation around Djokovic?
I think the situation has gone too far. Honestly, I’m a bit tired with this because I just believe it’s important to talk about our sport, even though I know tennis doesn’t matter compared to what we’re up against now. Tennis is just an entertainment sport for people. If there is a solution, and the solution is the vaccine, then we must be vaccinated for the well-being of all and for the health of our sport.
What can this episode mean for Djokovic and his image?
I do not know. In a way, it’s up to him because I can’t do anything about it. I wish him all the best. I had a good relationship with him throughout our career. We have done important things for our foundations, for charity. But in this case, from my point of view, there are still many questions to be answered. We need clarification. About his image? Everyone chooses their own path. I respect him as a person and as an athlete. I wish him the best. Although I don’t agree with a lot of things he’s done in the last few weeks. »
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