World's No. 1 Novak Djokovic recently shared his view about the 18-month ban imposed on compatriot Victor Troicki and talked about his relationship with Rafael Nadal following his father's tirade against the Spaniard.
Djokovic believes Troicki should have not been given a nasty 18-month suspension from competitive tennis, saying his failure to provide a blood test was just a misunderstanding.
"We're not sure what's going to happen with Viktor. We all give him big support because he's definitely innocent. Hopefully he is going to be able to be on the court very soon," Djokovic told reporters via Tennis Tonic.
Troicki, who reached a career high No. 12 in the ATP World Ranking, received the harsh penalty last month after violating the protocol of the International Tennis Federation requiring tennis players to submit a blood sample in every tournament they play.
Reports indicated the Serb submitted a urine sample but failed to provide a blood sample during the Monte Carlo Master, yet he insisted he's clean and innocent.
"I am innocent. I have never ever taken any prohibited substance or ever thought of doing so. I did not lie and this really hurts,".
Meanwhile, Novak Djokovic also tackled his father's verbal attack directed against Federer and Nadal, apologizing and explaining he did not influence his father's comments.
"This has been a particular situation. I'm really sorry that his words have caused so much attention, and also that they might have hurt my colleagues in some way, and with whom I have good and fair relationships."
"But as unfortunate as it sounds, I cannot be held responsible for his deeds and for his words because everybody is entitled to their opinion, even my father, and I love him so much, and respect him," said Djokovic, who could face Nadal in the semifinal of the Montreal Masters.