Novak Djokovic begins his quest for a seventh Italian Open title on Friday as he aims to get back to top form in time for the next Grand Slam.
The former world No.1 has been absent from the tour since losing in the fourth round at Indian Wells and has played only two tournaments so far this season, heading into Rome. Earlier this year, he was runner-up at the Australian Open to Carlos Alcaraz. In recent weeks, the Serbian has been sidelined with a right shoulder injury, delaying the start of his clay swing.
38-year-old Djokovic, who will be seeded third in the Rome draw, admits he is not entirely happy with his current fitness. Something he hopes to resolve with some match play.
“I am ready enough to compete,” Djokovic said during an interview with atptour.com.
“I am not the happiest with the level of tennis or the movement or the physical state, but it is getting there. I wanted to be back on the Tour earlier, but couldn’t. I was injured, so I had to deal with it progressively. I am here in Rome. I always love coming back, have had great success, so I am excited to be back in competition.”
Throughout his career, Djokovic has enjoyed success in the Italian capital. A six-time winner, it is his second-most successful Masters 100 event in terms of titles won. His first is Paris, which he has won on seven occasions. Overall, he has a 68-12 record at the tournament.
The Serbian’s first test will be Croatia’s Dino Prizmic, who has already won two rounds of qualifying and defeated Marton Fucsovics in his opening match. Prizmic, who is currently at a ranking high of 79th in the world, recently defeated Ben Shelton and Matteo Berrettini on clay in Madrid.
“The ultimate goal on this surface is Roland Garros and trying to get ready to play my best tennis there,” Djokovic explained during his pre-tournament press conference.
“But nevertheless, I do want to do well here, so I do have lower expectations.”
This year is the 20th anniversary of when Djokovic made his Italian Open debut in the qualifying draw. Since then, he has reached the quarter-finals or better in 17 out of 18 main draw appearances.