Months after missing the Australian Open due to a controversey surrounding his COVID-19 vaccination status, Novak Djokovic said that he is ready to get back on the court. The Serbian star is expected to play at the French Open, which will take place from May 22 to June 5. 

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Since being deported from Australia, Djokovic has only played in the Dubai Tennis Championship, where he was defeated by Jiri Vesely in the quarterfinals. The 20-time Grand Slam champion had to skip tournaments in Indian Wells, California, and Miami because he couldn’t travel to the United States as he is unvaccinated against the coronavirus. 

The 34-year-old has refused to get vaccinated in order to compete. 

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“I miss competition. I still feel motivation to be on the tour and compete… and try to challenge the best players in the world for the biggest titles,” the Serbian tennis star said Sunday on the opening day of the clay-court season at the Monte Carlo Masters in Monaco.

Monaco and France last month lifted several COVID-19 restrictions. Unvaccinated people can visit the two countries and participate in sports events. 

After missing the Australian Open, which was won by his prime rival Rafael Nadal, losing in Dubai, Djokovic was displaced as World No 1 by Russia’s Daniil Medvedev. He however reclaimed the top spot. 

On March 1, the Serb  announced that he and coach Marian Vajda were splitting after 15 years together.

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“The last four, five months have been really challenging for me mentally and emotionally but here I am and I try to leave all that behind and move on,” Djokovic said on Sunday.

A title in Monaco and Paris will help Djokovic get back at full-time tennis. His Monte Carlo Masters’ opening match is scheduled for Tuesday.

“I will try to use (the French Open title) as an inspiration to kick-start the clay court season the best possible way,” Djokovic said. “I understand that I probably won’t be at my best, particularly at the beginning.”

He added that “it will take some time, some matches to really get in the groove.”