Novak Djokovic Gears Up for Return to Competition in Rome

Absent from the courts in Madrid, Novak Djokovic is preparing to make his return to competition. Highly anticipated at the Foro Italico, the Serbian hopes to finally achieve a benchmark tournament there. After a very hesitant start to the season (no title or final in 2024) given its pedigree, ‘Nole’ must do better. As Roland-Garros approaches, the world number 1 hopes to take advantage of Rome to build up confidence.

Asked at a press conference, Djokovic was rather reassuring: “I had a lot of time to rest and train. I had a good training block. I arrived here two days ago to take a tour of the center court and to train for four or five days before my first match against top players (practice set played and lost to Grigor Dimitrov) . […] I think I’m on track to peak at Roland Garros. I hope that here, in Rome, I will play better than in Monte Carlo. It is the wish, obviously, to always go far. We’ll see.”

Asked about the restructuring carried out within his team, the defending champion at Roland-Garros seemed rather satisfied with the work accomplished: “I am currently working with the physical trainer with whom I worked for many years (Gebhard Gritsch). It didn’t take me long to adapt to his program and approach. We know each other very well. […] With Nenad (Zimonjic) too, of course. I am happy with how the last fortnight has gone in terms of training, preparation and anticipation for this tournament but especially for Roland-Garros, Wimbledon and the Olympic Games. This is the block we prepare the most for.”

2024-05-08 18:05:39
#track #peak #Roland #Garros