Asked whether Novak Djokovic, current world No.1, would play in the next Monte-Carlo tournament, Zeljko Franulovic, his director, said that the Serb would have to be "in good standing" for this.
"To enter France, the first rule is to be vaccinated," he continued on the sidelines of the presentation of the tournament on Wednesday in a Monegasque hotel.
“The ATP protocol, he added, also offers the possibility of providing a certificate of covid contamination one month before the start of the competition. From what I know, Djokovic is not currently vaccinated. that he will be in good standing, we will welcome him with open arms."
"We spoke with all the players, continued Franulovic. All are vaccinated, except him for the moment. We cannot put ourselves in his shoes to find out what he wants to do. His participation will depend on him."
The 1970 Roland-Garros finalist would like to be able to "say that Djokovic will be there 100%".
"But it's his decision, he said. It's easy to say that the tournament is stronger than a player. But we would like Novak to be there. He loves the tournament and we love him. well. That said, I don't think the tournament would suffer from her absence. Because she will be explained."
He sees "all the players in the world's top 10 present, except Roger Federer, still injured, and on whom, barring a miracle, we cannot count".
The final list of registered players for the tournament, which is expected to host 135,000 people, will be closed on March 14 and the draw for the final table will take place on April 8.
As for Djokovic, he plans to return to competition in Dubai from February 21 to 26.
"This is very good news, said ATP President Andrea Gaudenzi, also during the presentation of the Monte Carlo tournament. We want him in good shape and happy to play tennis again. This is our N .1 worldwide."
The Monte-Carlo Country Club, where the Monte-Carlo Masters 1000 tournament takes place, is actually located in the French town of Roquebrune-Cap Martin, on the north-eastern edge of the Principality.
© 2022 AFP