Djokovic Denies He Came To Paris Solely For The Bonus
Novak Djokovic poured scorn on the suggestion that it was only the thought of missing out on a $1.6 million bonus that forced him into action at the BNP Paribas Masters in Paris.
The Serb had tournament organizers at the Palais Omnisports de Bercy locked in suspense after returning home to Monte Carlo after suffering renewed shoulder and back problems in losing to Kei Nishikori in last weekend’s Swiss Indoors semi-final in Basel.
But Djokovic hit back at the speculation he only decided to play after weighing up the financial ramifications. “It was funny for me to see how people were coming up with that story and discussing it.
“I even heard that I would get on the court and play a game just to get this money. This is ridiculous. Look, we are all athletes, this is our job. We are all playing to be paid at one stage, of course. This is normal. I don’t see what’s unusual in that.
“On the other hand, I came here because I want to compete; I want to play a tournament. Then if I know that I’m physically good enough to be competing, I will compete. If I don’t, I will not compete. It’s as simple as that. Nothing else can affect my decision.”
Djokovic, who overcame Croatia’s Ivan Dodig 6-4,6-3 after letting fly with an ace from the first point of the match insisted he was correct to wary.
“I think it is obvious that I am not quite at the top of my game,” he admitted. “I’m taking things quite slowly, step by step, knowing that my form will improve.”
“DAILY TENNIS NEWS WIRE”
Topics: Bnp Paribas Masters, Novak Djokovic
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