Djokovic Passes on Davis Cup Participation Because of “Packed Agenda”

Written by: Staff on 9th February 2012

Djokovic Passes on Davis Cup Participation Because of “Packed Agenda” |

Novak Djokovic is the most obvious missing face from the Serbia team that hosts Sweden in the opening round of the Davis Cup’s World Group this weekend and the world no.1 has issued a warning that his absence could extend throughout 2012.

Djokovic will not be in Nis as Janko Tipsarevic, Viktor Troicki and Nenad Zimonjic are augmented by world no. 282 Ilija Bozoljac for the visit of Thomas Enqvist’s Sweden team is still without the recuperating Robin Soderling and consequently has 348th ranked Michael Ryderstedt and Carl Bergman (world no. 505) filling the singles spots.

Now Djokovic, who cited Serbia’s 2010 Davis Cup victory as the most emotional of his career, has alluded to not being able to represent his country in anything but the Olympic Games this year because of what he terms his “packed agenda”.

“I am sorry that I will not play against Sweden in Nis,” said Djokovic to the Beta news agency. “I cannot promise that I will take part in this competition this year.”

Djokovic spent a few days in Serbia before heading to London at the beginning of this week to be named Laureus Sportsman of the Year. Repeatedly since winning his fifth major title at the Australian Open 11 days ago he has stated his main focus this year would be on the Olympic Games and the French Open, a major win that would see him hold all four major titles at once.

He added his participation in the Serbia Open tournament – owned by his family and which he won in 2011 – was not “definitive yet”.

Djokovic cast huge doubts on his leading the Belgrade field in May when he said: “I am on the list of the participants, but it will be difficult to organize everything. In order to take part in it, I would have to make radical changes in my agenda.”

The world no.1 has insisted tennis is far more demanding in 2012 and that is why top players have to manage their schedule accordingly. “’It’s become a lot more physical than it was 10, 15, 20 years ago,” he said. “Considering that fact, I believe that there should be some changes for the good of the sport, for the good of tennis players.

“We have seen a lot of injuries lately, in the last year and a half or two, and this is not good for anybody. There is no use in top players being injured and so we’re all already working towards finding a solution to that issue.

“It’s not going to be easy because you have to consider tournaments and the tradition of the sport. But we sincerely hope to have better scheduling so we can have healthier lives after we finish our careers.”

Topics: Davis Cup, Novak Djokovic