Former world No.1 Novak Djokovic has stated that he is playing without pain for the first time ‘in years’ ahead of the start of his campaign at the Miami Masters later this week.
The 30-year-old Serbian is set to play in only his third tournament since returning to the tour from injury. Djokovic had a six-month hiatus from the sport due to an elbow injury and underwent minor surgery in February to treat it. So far in his comeback, the Serbian reached the fourth round of the Australian Open before suffering a second round loss to Taro Daniel in Indian Wells.
Next up for Djokovic will be the Miami Masters, an event he had already won a record six times (along with Andre Agassi). It will be his first appearance in Key Biscayne since lifting the title back in 2016. Looking ahead to the tournament, Djokovic believes he is finally getting back on track. Revealing that he is no longer experiencing pain in his elbow. A problem that has been hindering him for two years.
“I actually started playing pain-free in the last two days. It’s quite refreshing because everything else had pain involved,” Djokovic told AFP.
“The last few days have been first in a long, long time that I could actually be focused on the game rather than have something in my mind and be worried about whether I am going to have pain or not.”
The setbacks dealt to the 12-time grand slam champion is one that he draws positives from. Prior to his injury struggles, Djokovic dominated that 2015 season by winning 11 ATP titles. It was during that year when he became the first player in history to win $20 million in prize money within the same season. Since then, he has managed to win a further nine ATP trophies, including two grand slams, prior to his injury break last year.
“I have learned a lot about myself,” he said. “It’s been a great, great blessing to go through this. I’ve been very successful in this sport over the course of the last six, seven years and I’ve been very grateful to go through that.
“But I obviously have had to face different circumstances, situations that I’ve never faced before. Ever since I started professional tennis my trajectory was always going in the right direction and that has changed.
“So I had to open up and figure out things, how to move forward and get inspired and be the best version I can be.”
Despite the promising signs, improvement is still required for the world No.12. Against Daniel in Indian Wells, a lacklustre Djokovic produced 61 unforced errors as he crashed out in three sets. Suffering his earliest exit in the tournament since 2006.
“I am not yet at my best. Every day is a process for me and it’s an opportunity to learn, to grow and get better after the two years of injury and trying to figure out ways how to play pain free.” He said.
“I have had to modify a lot of things in my game to accept it. When I made this intervention, obviously it’s pretty invasive and unfortunately in the end it had to be done.
“It also carries certain consequences but right now, I’m not playing with the pain which is the most important thing.
“All I can do now is to try to embrace the process every day.”
Seeded ninth in Miami, Djokovic will start his campaign against either Benoit Paire or Mischa Zverev.
