The 22-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic quelled any injury concerns about his physical status ahead of his Italian Open Round of 64 clash against Tomas Martin Etcheverry.
The Serbian star missed the Madrid Open and was eliminated early from both the Monte-Carlo Masters and the Srpska Open, but he is looking forward to starting his tournament in Rome, where he has won the title six times. “It’s all good. It’s all good. I mean, there are always some things here and there that bother you on this level. It’s normal. Also, when you’re not 25 anymore, I guess you experience that a bit more than used to be the case. It takes a little bit more time, I guess, to recover,” Djokovic said.
“But I feel good. I miss the competition. I love playing in Rome. Historically, throughout my career, Rome has always been a very nice tournament for me; I have had plenty of success and won it many times.” I also played quite a few times in the final,” he added.
Djokovic acknowledged that it takes him longer to adjust to clay than to other surfaces. The 35-year-old explained that there are several aspects involved. “It’s the movement. Every bounce, more or less, is different. It’s such an irregular bounce surface. You have wind. You have clay—a surface that is basically alive. Let’s call it this way: like grass in a way,” Djokovic said.
Djokovic will begin his tournament against the Argentine Tomas Martin Etcheverry. It will be the pair’s first ATP head-to-head meeting.
