Novak Djokovic has "no regrets" about missing Sunshine Double but maintains it's "a pity" he wasn't able to play

Novak Djokovic’s special exemption appeal to play the Sunshine Double in the US may have come to naught, but the athlete has suggested that he is now at peace with the verdict.

Due to his unvaccinated status and the US government’s restrictions for foreign travelers, Novak Djokovic missed the opportunity to play in the recently concluded Indian Wells, where he is the five-time champion.

On Friday (March 17) it was announced that, owing to the same reasons, the Serb was forced to pull out of the ongoing Miami Open as well, where he is the six-time winner.

However, during a recent interview, Djokovic revealed his constructive approach to the transpired events. The 22-time Grand Slam champion remarked that he had chosen not to dwell on the past and revealed that has no regrets.

“No, I have no regrets,” he said in an interview with CNN. “I’ve learned through life that regrets only hold you back and basically make you live in the past and I don’t want to do that.”

The former World No.1 also congratulated Carlos Alcaraz for snatching his No. 1 spot after the Indian Wells win.

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

Nonetheless, the Serb also admitted that, having been as successful as he has been in Indian Wells and Miami, the negative outcome was unfortunate.

“It’s a pity that I wasn’t able to play in Indian Wells, Miami. I love those tournaments. I had plenty of success there,” he said.

The 35-year-old stood by his decision to remain unvaccinated and claimed that the rejection of his latest appeal wasn’t as surprising, having faced similar consequences involving North American events throughout 2022.

“But 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, and it is the current state or current situation,” he said.

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"I hope (it) will change for later this year for the US Open" - Novak Djokovic hopeful about US Open 2023

Novak Djokovic last contested the US Open in 2021, where he was the runner-up

While Novak Djokovic has put his unfortunate Sunshine Double setback behind him, the Serb is hoping for a different fate at this year’s US Open. He said the Major is the most important tournament for him in the States.

“I hope (it) will change for later this year for the US Open. That is the most important tournament for me on the American soil. I really want to be playing there, want to be there,” he said in the same interview.

Regardless of his involvement in this year's US Open, tennis fans hoping to see the Serb compete won’t have to wait too long. Djokovic is expected to resume his 2023 campaign on clay at the Monte Carlo Masters between April 9 -16.