Djokovic rested and ready to go in Rome: “I am on a good route to peak at Roland-Garros”

The Serb has not played since Monte-Carlo, having chosen to skip Madrid

Inside/Panoramic

May 8, 2024

Novak Djokovic returns to action in Rome this weekend, rested after a short break and raring to go as the clay-court season enters the business end.

The world No 1 has not played since Monte-Carlo a month ago, having chosen to skip Madrid in favour of a rest and some training, picking and choosing his times to compete, knowing that for him, the bigger picture is more important.

And for Djokovic, the bigger picture is the Grand Slams. Victory at Roland-Garros next month would give him the all-time record of 25 slams and as he addressed reporters in Rome on Wednesday, he sounded confident that he’s been making the right choices.

“I had plenty of time to also rest and train (and) had a good training block,” he said. “I arrived here two days ago to get a hit on the Centre Court, as well, obviously stay four or five days training before my first match with top players.

“Obviously it’s different when you train with them, playing practice sets, seeing where your game is at, kind of working your way towards the fine form for the first official match (but) I think I’m on a good route to peak at Roland Garros in Paris. Hopefully here in Rome I can play better than I did in Monte-Carlo. That’s the wish, obviously, is always to go far.”

New fitness coach working well

Djokovic said the extension of Rome to a 12-day tournament should help him ease back into competition and said he’s happy how things are going with Nenad Zimonjic as a sort of consultant coach and with the return of his former fitness coach Gebhard Phil-Gritcsh.

“It didn’t take much time to adapt to his programme and approach,” Djokovic said. “We know each other really well. That’s why I feel like we’re synchronised from the very beginning in terms of what we want to do, how we want to approach the program of training on and off the court. With Nenad of course, as well.

“So, yeah, I’m pleased with the way the last 10 days, 14 days went in terms of training, in terms of preparation and looking ahead to this tournament, but particularly Roland Garros, Wimbledon and Olympic Games. That’s the block for which we are preparing the most.

“We just have to see, wait and see, how it’s going to be translated, that work, or transformed into a good performance on the court.”