Novak Djokovic is ready to move on from the controversy surrounding his refusal to get a vaccine.
The Serbian tennis star said Sunday on the opening day of the clay-court season at the Monte Carlo Masters that he misses competition.
The 20-time Grand Slam champion has only played one tournament so far in the year 2022, losing to Jiri Vesely in the quarterfinals of the Dubai Championships.
After being deported from the country for not being up to date with his vaccinations, Novak was unable to defend his Australian Open title.
He had to skip tournaments in Indian Wells, California, and Miami because he couldn't travel to the US for the same reason.
He said that he wouldn't get the vaccine in order to compete.
It has been a difficult start to the year for the Serbian tennis player, who was held in Australia for 11 days before being sent home.
Nadal won the Australian Open for his 21st major trophy, breaking a tie with Roger and Novak.
At the end of February, Novak Djokovic lost his No. 1 ranking for the first time in two years, but he regained it at the beginning of March.
On March 1, he and Marian Vajda announced that they were splitting after 15 years together.
The last four, five months have been challenging for me mentally and emotionally, but I try to leave all that behind and move on.
His first match is in Monaco.
The authorities in France and Monaco lifted most COVID-19 restrictions last month, allowing people who aren't vaccinations into the country and back into restaurants, sports arenas and other venues.
The clay in Monaco is the best surface to stage his comeback even though it has not been my most successful surface, as evidenced by the French Open title in 2021, which is still fresh in his mind.
The French Open title will be an inspiration to kick-start the clay court season.
It will take some time, some matches, to really get in the swing of things.
The French Open will be held in Paris.
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