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In the run-up to the “Adria Tour”, organizer Novak Djokovic explains why he didn’t even invite rival Roger Federer. However, his choice of words causes speculation.
For charitable purposes, Novak Djokovic is organizing his own tournament series in the Balkans and is planning the so-called “Adria Tour” from June 13 to July 5. The game is played in Serbia, Croatia, Montenegro and Bosnia-Herzegovina. Several top players have already guaranteed their participation.
Finally, the current world number one can inspire the German Alexander Zverev (ATP 7), Dominic Thiem (ATP 3) and Grigor Dimitrov (ATP 19) are also on board. “I am grateful and happy that I can receive you in my home town,” the Serb is quoted by SportsKlub. While Thiem “only” plays in Belgrade, Zverev will also travel to Croatia. Organizer Djokovic competes everywhere.
Djokovic trains daily during the lockdown
A mammoth program that shouldn’t be a problem for the Serbs. Above all because he can keep fit every day during the lockdown in Spanish Marbella. “In contrast to many other players, I was able to train almost every day because we lived in a house with a tennis court,” explains Djokovic at a press conference in Belgrade. However, he had failed to rub it all under the nose with posts in social networks. “Because I didn’t want to make the other players angry,” explains the Serb.
The “Adria Tour” will definitely miss two other big names in men’s tennis: Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer. Djokovic confirms this on request – and with his reason causes speculation: «Federer still has problems with his knee, so I didn’t ask him. Rafa has just returned to the pitch. » Does Djokovic know more and Federer is still struggling with the consequences of his knee surgery in February? Isn’t that why he’s back in training?
No signs of Federer
At the moment it can only be speculated. In April Federer reported a short setback in the healing process, but immediately followed the all-clear in the Instagram chat with Rafael Nadal: “The knee is okay. I had a very good first six weeks, then things got a little slower. Now things are going better again. »
Last weekend Federer was satisfied in a conversation with the former Brazilian tennis player Gustavo Kuerten. “Physically I’m fine,” said the 20-time Grand Slam champion about his physical condition. There is another simple reason for his absence from training: “I honestly see no reason to train, because it will be a long time before we have competitions again.”
