Novak Djokovic Invited to Play Challenger Amidst US Ban

| by Zachary Wimer

Novak Djokovic was invited to warm up for the European clay-court part of the season as he'll most probably begin his journey in Monte Carlo.

Earlier this month, the Serb was forced to withdraw from the Indian Wells tournament. With the Miami Open also looking unlikely, Djokovic's schedule seems to be free for the next few weeks. However, an unexpected invitation has come his way from Tennis Club Sanremo to participate in the ATP Challenger 125, scheduled for March 26.

Djokovic needs to keep up his form and winning attitude, and what better way to do so than by competing in a tournament, according to the Sanremo Tennis Team. Even while the concept is intriguing, it is still unclear whether it is wise for Djokovic to compete in a lower-level competition when he is currently at the pinnacle of his abilities.

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Despite the fact that Djokovic is an experienced player, participating in a lower-level tournament might not be the greatest choice for him. One of the reasons is that the competition won't be as fierce as what he is accustomed to. Injuries could also occur, which could interfere with his plans for the remainder of the season.

Furthermore, the 22-time Grand Slam champion may not be able to enter the event as per ATP Rulebook, which prohibits players ranked in the top 10 from competing in ATP Challenger Tour tournaments. While Djokovic is currently ranked No. 1, he will not be able to participate in the Sanremo tournament due to this rule, unless something changes.

The invitation from the Sanremo Tennis Team, while well-intentioned, seems more like a publicity stunt than a serious offer.

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