Cologne (dpa) – The physical and psychological stress for tennis star Novak Djokovic during his time in the quarantine hotel is high, according to a sports psychologist.
Top athletes need fixed routines before competitions, said the professor of sport and health psychology from the Cologne Sports University, Jens Kleinert, in an interview with the German press agency. The 34-year-old Djokovic has been in a quarantine hotel in Melbourne since Thursday.
The very likely unvaccinated world number one wanted to travel to Australia with a controversial medical exemption to take part in the Australian Open. However, the Australian Border Guard had denied him entry. Djokovic has sued against it. A court in Melbourne wants to make a decision on Monday.
In any case, the tennis professional could not really prepare for the tournament in his hotel room, said Kleinert: “Of course, he will have his options there to stay a bit fit,” the expert suspects. “But the bottom line is that he can’t go to court, that he can’t prepare properly.” The nutrition plan could also become a problem in the hotel. Djokovic may not have the opportunity to “have certain things brought to you,” said the sports psychologist.
He nevertheless assumes that Djokovic will be able to cope with the stressful situation due to his “mental strength”: “It may be that he isolates himself internally or that he actually reflects and also has a certain understanding of the world around him”, said Kleinert.
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