World number 1 Novak Djokovic has announced its spring calendar, adding Miami, Monte Carlo and Belgrade to its schedule. Novak claimed the ninth Australian Open title in February despite an abdominal injury, took a few weeks off and thought carefully about his next tournaments.
Novak’s coach Goran Ivanisevic recently said Novak could stay away until the sand season, but they changed the plan and added the Miami Open to his calendar. Djokovic won six Miami crowns between 2007 and 2016 and the first as a teenager in 2007 after defeating Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray and Guillermo Canas.
Novak had to wait four years to pick up the trophy again in Florida. In the decisive tie-break he prevailed against Nadal and defended the title in 2012 without losing a set. The Serb was the player to beat in Miami between 2014 and 2016.
He won three crowns and became the ultimate legend of the tournament. In 2018 and 2019 Djokovic lost to Benoit Paire and Roberto Bautista Agut. From March 24th, he will be the favorite, especially if he maintains the level of the Australian Open.
After Miami, Novak will return to Europe and participate in the Monte Carlo Masters draw to seek the first crown in the principality since 2015.
Novak Djokovic will play in Miami, Monte Carlo and Belgrade this spring
Novak made his Monte Carlo debut against Roger Federer in 2006 and reached the first final three years later, losing it in three sets to Rafael Nadal.
In 2012, Nadal Djokovic fell again in the title fight before Novak won two trophies in 2013 and 2015 and defeated the Spaniard in both campaigns. A week later, Novak will return to Serbia and play in front of his fans at the Novak Tennis Center.
Belgrade has bought the license from Budapest and will host the ATP tournament for the first time since 2012. Novak won the inaugural edition in 2009 and won the title back in 2011 after beating Feliciano Lopez in the final.
Novak has won all nine games in 2021, beating Alexander Zverev and Denis Shapovalov at the ATP Cup, and beating seven rivals at the Australian Open to take the ninth Melbourne Park title and add the 18th major crown to its record.
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