This week’s Italian Open could finally be that tournament that will kick-start Novak Djokovic’s return back to the highest level of men’s tennis.
Blighted by an elbow injury that forced him to end his season early last year, the former world No.1 had endured a mixed start to 2018. In his first six tournaments of this year, Djokovic had only managed to win back-to-back matches in two of them. Recording a win-loss record of 6-6. There was no significant breakthrough for the Serbian on the tour until this week at the Foro Italico in Rome.
“I’ve never faced this kind of situation before,” said Djokovic. “So I thought that it’s not going to take me long to get back to winning ways… I [have] had to learn a lesson and accept the circumstances. But, looking back two or three months, this is the best that I’ve felt on the court, by far.”
Claiming his first three matches in straight sets, Djokovic’s first test was Kei Nishikori in the quarter-finals. Recovering from a set down, he won 12 out of the next 16 games to progress to the last four of a tournament for the first time this year.
“It means a lot to me to be able to play semifinals of the tournament again. It’s been a year,” he told reporters on Friday.
Djokovic’s run in the event was halted yesterday by top seed Rafael Nadal. Playing their 51st match against each other on the tour, the Spaniard prevailed 7-6(4), 6-3. Narrowing the head-to-head gap between them to 26-25 in Djokovic’s favour. Despite the loss, there were many positive aspects for the world No.18.
“When it comes to the match, Rafa was just better in important moments. He just managed to play right shots. And he deserved to win. He was the better player.” Djokovic evaluated.
“I don’t think that there was too much of a difference (between us), which is great news for me. Because Rafa is, of course, the best player ever to play tennis on clay courts.”
It is very easy to get carried about the latest performance of the 30-year-old. It would be wrong to say he has returned to his very best. Not because he isn’t capable of achieving it, but because it is such a high standard that it requires more than one tournament to achieve it. To date, he has won 68 ATP titles, including 12 at grand slam level.
Djokovic admits that his return to action is still very much a work in progress. He heads to the French Open hoping that he can continue his consistent record at the event. Since 2010, Djokovic has reached the quarter-final stage or better.
“I really don’t see many negatives,” Djokovic said about his week in Italy. “I see mostly positives from this week. And that’s something that I’m going to take into the next week of training for Roland Garros.”
The French Open will get underway next Sunday.
