Despite playing in only five tournaments since returning to the tour from a serious elbow injury, Novak Djokovic has already set out some ambitious goals.
After what has been a roller coaster past few months for the Serbian, he illustrated glimmers of returning back to his best with a run to the third round of the Monte Carlo Masters. Losing to Austria’s Dominic Thiem in three sets. Seeking more match play, Djokovic is hoping to keep the momentum going at this week’s Barcelona Open where he is the sixth seed.
“Monte Carlo was probably my first tournament where I play without pain and without thinking what can happen with my elbow. It was a very positive week for me. Hopefully I can have another one here (In Barcelona).” Djokovic told reporters on Tuesday.
Guiding Djokovic throughout the clay season will be former long-term mentor Marian Vajda. The two have recently reunited following the departure of both Andre Agassi and Radek Stepanek. Vajda was a pivotal member of the Djokovic camp for 11 years before departing in 2017.
The two figures will be hoping to convert their reunion into success on the court. So far this season, Djokovic has won five out of nine matches played in four tournaments. He is yet to reach the quarter-finals of a tour event in 2018. Although results are not his top priority for the immediate future.
“It is difficult to say where I am and where I liked to be. I know I’m still not where I hope I can be in the future, I can influence the present moment and try to get the best out of myself today and build every day.” Djokovic admits.
“The short-time goals, I already said, that I want to be fit healthy and I want to play at my best level as soon as possible, so every day I have those goals and I try to build towards that.” He added.
Looking further ahead, the 30-year-old is not giving up on expanding his grand slam trophy collection and rising to the top of the ATP rankings. He is already a 12-time champion in the majors and has spent 223 weeks as world No.1. In total, Djokovic has won 68 ATP titles. The seventh highest tally achieved by a player in the Open Era.
“The long-term goals is obviously, trying to win (the) biggest tournaments of this sport, and also to be the number one. I’ve been in that position so many times, during 5-6 years on my (most) successful years. I believe I can get there again.” He stated.
“I think it is important to have an objective it is important to have a long-term goal because it gives you clarity to know what you are doing and working for.”
Djokovic is currently ranked 12th in the world. He will begin his campaign at the Barcelona Open on Wednesday when he takes on Martin Klizan.
