For Novak Djokovic it is an achievement in itself that he has been able to get back to full fitness in time for the start of the first grand slam of 2018.
The six-time Australian Open champion hasn’t played on the tour for six months due to an elbow injury. Instead of opting for surgery, Djokovic chose to instead rest and naturally recover. After secretly hoping in recent years that he could spend more time with his family, the Serbian got his wish as he had his first taste of what life is like without tennis. It was a period that he relished, but he always had the desire to return.
“I’m just glad to be back playing tennis, having an opportunity to compete yet again in the big tournaments.” Djokovic told reporters in Melbourne.
During his rehabilitation period, the former world No.1 confirmed the continuation of his collaboration with Andre Agassi and the appointment of recently retired Radek Stepanek. Within the first couple months they have already worked on adjusting Djokovic’s service motion. It is the serve that is causing the most discomfort in his elbow. Yet to test it out on the tour, the new approach seeds his take-back shorter to relieve the pressure on his elbow.
“It was obviously the part of my game that I had to address because of the elbow issues.” He explained.
“So far it’s been working really well. I had only (the) Kooyong match where I could really try it out. I had a lot of practice sets. I’m happy with the new service motion. I don’t want to say ‘new serve’, but new service motion.” He continued.
Good diagram by the @thetimes on the difference in @DjokerNole ‘s service motion then and now. pic.twitter.com/NkZPCSxCyw
— Nitin Varma (@VarmaKarma10S) 11 January 2018
Djokovic is not the first player to have changed their serve in order to accommodate an injury. His coach Agassi suffered from a wrist problem during the 1990s and changed his service motion. To a degree Agassi’s previous misfortune is a benefit for Djokovic as he was able to discuss what he went through. Providing a silver lining to an otherwise bleak time of his career.
The journey back to the top
As a result of his absence, Djokovic has fallen down to 14th in the world. To put this into perspective, the last time he started a season outside of the top 10 was back in 2006. His upcoming return at the Australian Open will be a landmine of challenges. Bidding to reach the second week in Melbourne for the tenth time in his career, he could face recent Doha champion Gael Monfils in round two and then world No.4 Alexander Zverev in the fourth round.
The path to a dream comeback may not be the easiest, but it had had little impact of the belief of the 12-time grand champion. Who will get his campaign underway on Tuesday against Donald Young.
“I still know what I’m capable of, and I believe in my own abilities to win against the best players in the world.” Said Djokovic.
“I know that if I get myself to desired level of performance – mental and physical – that I can actually have a good chance to go far in the tournament.
“Whether my approach is different to this year’s Australian Open to other previous years, probably yes. It’s different circumstances. But it is exciting. Honestly, it’s a good place to be.”
Djokovic heads into the tournament with a 89% winning record. Losing only seven matches in 13 previous appearances.
Into the unknown
Despite his positive outlook, anxiety surrounds the Djokovic camp. At the start of the year, he was set to make comeback appearances in Abu Dhabi followed by Doha. Both of those were cancelled due to his ongoing elbow injury. Even now, three days before the Australian Open, Djokovic admits that his elbow is ‘not 100%.’
“Throughout the tournament, I don’t know how it’s going to behave. Even if it’s 100% healed, after six months of no competition, you never know how you’re going to react.”
To a degree there is a sense of mystery over the troublesome elbow. He has been asked directly to say what his injury is and if he is taking any injections to aid his recovery. To both of those questions, he apologised before saying that he doesn’t want to go into any details.
The next two weeks in Melbourne will not be about how Djokovic fairs against the best in the world. His biggest challenge will be if his body can cope with the physical demands of five-set matches. Something that Djokovic himself doesn’t even know.
Djokovic is back, but the uncertainty remains.
