"Conscious decision": Novak Djokovic has no regrets missing Sunshine Double, wants US Open fan reunion

While his ATP colleagues are making final preparations for the Miami Open, Novak Djokovic served as a keynote speaker at the Dubai Future District Fund’s first Annual General Meeting on Tuesday.

Djokovic, who wasn’t permitted to enter the U.S. to play the Sunshine Double at Indian Wells and Miami due to the country requiring international visitors to be vaccinated against COVID-19, highlighted his commercial interests away from the court that include clean energy, education and his long-running foundation among others.

Speaking with CNN's Becky Anderson during his appearance, the 35-year-old explained the importance of using what he’s absorbed as a world-class athlete to his advantage when it comes time to make the leap to life beyond the ATP Tour.

“I’ve been trying to be sensitive and conscious about the fact that I have to start preparing my future as early as possible and surrounding myself with smart people who have the experience of being in that journey, in that area, in that sector that I’m interested in for quite some time because I’m new,” he told Anderson.

“I think some experiences are transferrable, not all of them, but I think character is, and I guess when you are successful in your core business… you want to continue in striving to be successful in other areas and it’s a kind of logical or a natural transition to a next phase of your life.”

Djokovic picked up his men’s record-tying 22nd major title at the Australian Open to reclaim the world No. 1 ranking from Carlos Alcaraz. On Monday, the Spaniard traded places with the Belgrade native thanks to his Indian Wells title run, and Djokovic had nothing but praise for the 19-year-old’s efforts.

“I congratulate Alcaraz. He absolutely deserves to come back to No. 1,” he said.

“At the same time, it is the conscious decision I made and I knew that there is always a possibility that I won’t go.

“I’ve learned through life that regrets only hold you back and basically make you live in the past.”

To no surprise, it’s the final Grand Slam event of the year that hold's the biggest place in Djokovic's heart. When he was unable to contest the US Open last year due to his vaccination decision, it was Alcaraz who went on to triumph in becoming the youngest man (and only teenager thus far) ever to reach No. 1 on the ATP rankings.

“That is the most important tournament for me on the American soil,” Djokovic stated.

“I want to go back and I want to reconnect with the crowd there. So that’s something I’m looking forward to and hopefully it will happen.”

Djokovic is scheduled to return the week of April 10 in Monte Carlo, where Stefanos Tsitsipas is the two-time reigning champion. A two-time winner at the first of three 1000 events held on clay, Djokovic has nothing to defend after losing his opener a year ago to Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.