Former British number one expects to see ‘100% motivated’ Novak Djokovic at future Majors

Andrew Castle hopes Novak Djokovic will be allowed to compete at future Grand Slams and expects him to be “incredibly motivated where ever he plays.”

20-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic was forced to miss the chance of a record-breaking 21st Grand Slam and a record-extending 10th Australian Open title after he was deported just one day before it got underway. As a result, Nadal pipped Djokovic to such a feat.

This bought a conclusion to the 11-day-long saga which saw Djokovic have his medical exemption and visa cancelled twice, in which it was revealed in the legal proceedings that he was unvaccinated against Covid-19.

As such, World number one Djokovic’s participation at future Slams such as the French Open and Wimbledon have been plunged into considerable doubt.

Whilst French Sports Minister Roxana Mărăcineanu initially said Djokovic would be permitted to play regardless of his vaccination status, Djokovic’s involvement was then thrown into doubt when French parliament voted to introduce vaccination passes.

However, due to the United Kingdom’s lax Covid-19 restrictions, Djokovic may be allowed to compete at Wimbledon in the Summer. Although, this is all subject to change considering the rapidly and constantly changing nature of the Covid-19 virus.

In an interview with Tennis365, former British number one Andrew Castle said “the only camera we were missing down in Australia was one on Novak’s face on match point when Nadal made it to [Grand Slam] number 21.

“After seeing that, I can imagine Novak’s motivation will be 100% moving forward.

“We don’t know whether he can play at the French Open because of what Emmanuel Macron (French President) has said about everyone needing to be vaccinated, but he is going to be incredibly motivated where ever he plays.

“While we rightly celebrated that magnificent final with Nadal and Medvedev, Djokovic has won that tournament nine times and we just want to see him there.

“I want to see the very best giving it one last slog over the next year, two years or three years, so I missed Novak down there, regardless of my personal opinion of the way he conducted himself.

“I’m a journalist and tennis is my love, but as a news story this Djokovic saga had so much and I found it fascinating.

“My own personal view is he wasn’t treated entirely correctly at all times in that one. There was a vast amount of politics in it, with the elections in Australia and the restrictions they had to endure were so difficult.

“With a bit of luck it fizzles out and he can get back to doing what he does best.”

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