Watch: Novak Djokovic hits the practice courts with Dominic Thiem in Belgrade
Novak Djokovic was recently spotted on the practice courts in Belgrade with Dominic Thiem. The World No. 1 is looking to move on from his disappointing early loss at the 2022 Monte-Carlo Masters to Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.
In the short clip posted by Septimo game, Djokovic can be seen practicing his volleys while Thiem hits groundstrokes off of both wings. Thiem also got in some slices and lobs while the Serb got the ball across the court.
Novak Djokovic y Dominic Thiem ya preparan sus respectivos estrenos en el @SerbiaOpen2022 en Belgrado. https://t.co/whYgtp2keH
Dominic Thiem, on the other hand, has also been out of action for a significant period of time as he is recovering from a wrist injury he sustained last year in Mallorca. The Austrian's comeback has been delayed on several occasions due to a combination of injuries and illness.
Thiem eventually returned to action in a challenger event in Marbella but lost in the first round to Pedro Cachin in straight sets. Unfortunately, Thiem contracted COVID-19 soon after and had to skip Marrakech and Monte-Carlo as a result.
Thiem is an ideal partner for Djokovic on clay, with the Austrian having reached two finals in Roland Garros. Their head-to-head on clay is 3-3.
Novak Djokovic keeps his hold on the World No. 1 spot despite early loss in Monte-Carlo
Despite being knocked out of the Monte-Carlo Masters in the second round and dropping 90 points from last year, Novak Djokovic will continue to be ranked World No. 1. World No. 2 Daniil Medvedev was 10 points behind Djokovic, but dropped 180 points from his run to the semifinals in the 2019 Monte-Carlo Masters.
Djoković and Thiem are practicing in front of a small crowd of ball kids. #SerbiaOpen https://t.co/YOTbjEt8dz
There was significant uncertainty surrounding Novak Djokovic's schedule due to the fact that he is unvaccinated against COVID-19. The Serb's unvaccinated status prevented him from participating in tournaments in Australia and the US. Djokovic has competed in only two tournaments so far this year, losing to Jiri Vesely in the quarterfinals in Dubai and Davidovich Fokina in the second-round in Monte-Carlo.
The likes of Alexander Zverev and Rafael Nadal are hot on the heels of Djokovic and Medvedev, but the German's failure to win Monte-Carlo meant he failed to close the gap to the Serb.
Djokovic is defending 2000 points from his win at the French Open, 600 points from his final in Rome, 500 points from when he won Madrid in 2019 and 250 and 90 points from his runs in Belgrade 2 and Belgrade respectively. With Medvedev withdrawing from all events until the French Open, Djokovic has a chance of holding on to his number 1 ranking.