"We are friends with Zlatan Ibrahimovic, we often talked about my situation in Australia. He also supported me publicly, which I really appreciate. I am a Milan fan and we hope to win the Scudetto this year."
A few hours after his return to the field in Dubai against the Italian Musetti, Novak Djokovic is back to speak in an interview with the site of the tournament of the United Arab Emirates.
"There were a lot of emotions after my return from Australia - said the world tennis No. 1 who was prevented from playing in Melbourne because he was not vaccinated - so I needed some time to reflect and to to rest mentally Then, once I recovered, I was looking forward to playing tennis and competing.
How have other players welcomed me here in Dubai?
So far most of the ones I've seen here, I haven't seen many, have been positive and welcoming.
I can't say it was like that in Australia.
It was a little strange.
But that's okay here so far. "
The Serbian champion returns to the interview with the BBC regarding the Covid test carried out on December 16.
"I have seen the media speculating on the validity of the tests. What I can say now is what I said to the BBC: that I am not an expert. I have done in the last two years, like probably everyone else on the tour, so many PCR tests, Rapid antigen tests. I am unable to understand how these tests are processed and recorded.
I am glad that the Institute of Public Health in Serbia has come out publicly and validated those tests. That is all I can really say. I am not in the position, nor am I an expert, to go into more detail ".
Finally 'Nole' explains how he managed to get back on the pitch after the Australia affair and the many days spent in the Melbourne hotel room: "I started training again probably about 10 days after my return from Australia. I was doing fitness more or less. every day. I've been playing tennis for the last three weeks. I love hitting the tennis ball, so it wasn't really hard to grab a racket and go to a training ground to play, because I have a lot of passion for the sport and I appreciate every minute of it. I spend on the training ground. I know there is always something to work on and improve on. "