Tennis, Djokovic doesn’t play in Madrid, but wins his fifth Laureus Award. On Sinner: “She’s growing up fast”

Novak Djokovic went to Madrid, but because there was a good reason to do so. How to receive for the fifth time the Laureus Awardsthe prize dedicated to the best sportsman of the past year, assigned by a jury of around seventy living legends from almost all the main disciplines (among others, the jury includes Del Piero, Totti, Tomba and Agostiniwhile they are part of the world of tennis Becker and Seles). A recognition that further ennobles what he has done in the 2023 season, in which he came close to the grand slam for the second time in his career, prevented only by defeat at Wimbledon against Alcaraz, and closed with victory at Nitto ATP Finals in Turin against Jannik Sinner. The one who could soon dethrone him.

Nole awarded by Tom Brady: “Incredible to still be here”

Because Sinner will play in Madrid, unlike Nole. Who made an appointment for everyone at Rome, last (and only) tournament in preparation for the Paris campaign of Roland Garros. You reiterated this clearly after the awards ceremony Laureus: “I want to be in Romealthough I will play the tournament depending on Paris. It will be an important stage in the journey that will have to lead me to deal in the best possible way with the “block” of appointments that it also includes Wimbledon, the Paris Olympic tournament and the US Open. My 2024 season will focus entirely on these objectives and I want to get there in the best possible conditions.”

On stage Madrid, Djokovic was awarded by Tom Bradyhis friend and great sporting idol. “An honor to be here next to Tom, thinking about everything he’s done. For me this award has a special value: the first time I won it in 2012, at 24 years old, and 12 years later it’s amazing to still be here and at this level. I hope it won’t be the last: I want to continue playing for a while, also because I feel good, even though there’s no shortage of competition.” While he speaks he looks Rafa Nadalsitting in the front row, winner of the Laureus in 2011 and 2021. The old guard who doesn’t want to pass the baton.

Sinner, the chase for number 1: May is decisive

Yet it is not unlikely that within a few weeks Nole’s number 1 could end up in the hands of Jannik Sinner. Or maybe of Carlos Alcaraz, that a Madrid at the awards ceremony Laureus was there, this time in the role of rewarder (he delivered to Jude Bellingham the revelation of the year award, which he won the previous year).

Sinner he is the one who has the greatest chance of making it: he could rise to the top of the world rankings winning in both Madrid and Romeregardless of what they do Nole and Carlitoseven if he were to beat them both in the final (Alcaraz if anything to Madrid, since there is no Serbian). Or, more reasonably, exploit the many points to defend that Djokovic has at Roland Garroswhere only with a victory Nole could actually hope not to suffer attacks from the competition.

Sinner but he put his hands forward: he will go to Madrid to “train” in view of Rome and Paris, without ambitions of victory, but only to test the arm and physical stability (as well as further adaptation to the surface) in view of the events in May and early June. Yet the opportunity that will present itself to his eyes will be definitely delicious, such as to allow him to speed up the process.

Nole, the next gen that advances and one last match with Nadal

Always on the sidelines of the ceremony Laureus (which maybe in a year we could see Sinner among the main awarded athletes), Djokovic he spent some words on the South Tyrolean: “He and Alcaraz are very young, but they are doing amazing things. It’s wonderful to see how they grow so quickly, overcoming barriers and forging ahead.”

Then he reiterated that he was not in such a hurry to choose the new coach after the end of the relationship with Goran Ivanisevic. “Having a work team is always a good thing, but perhaps at this stage of my career it is not necessarily a necessity. I’m thinking about what to do, I haven’t made a decision yet.”.

Finally, the last wish: “I would love to play at least one more time with Nadal. He was my most important rival, he is a legend of our sport, as well as a very good person for whom I have great respect. I wish could continue playing for another year or twoI wish him so with all my heart.”