World No.1 Novak Djokovic says his elbow is not in perfect condition coming into this week’s Bosnian Open.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion has been wearing strapping around his right elbow which he underwent surgery on back in 2018. During last week’s Monte Carlo Masters Djokovic appeared far from his best as he crashed out of the third round to Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti who broke his serve eight times in the match. The event was the first the Serbian had played in over a month after missing both Indian Wells and Miami due to his vaccination status. America currently only allows foreign visitors who have been vaccinated against COVID-19 which the tennis star isn’t.
“Naturally, I wasn’t satisfied with the result in Monte Carlo,” Djokovic said during a press conference on Monday. “But ever since I landed, I’ve felt welcomed in Banja Luka, a lot of positive energy and positive emotions.”
Despite the optimism, concerns still remain over Djokovic’s current fitness due to his elbow. He is the top seed at this week’s Srpska Open in Bosnia and is one of only two top 10 players featuring in the draw alongside Andrey Rublev.
“My elbow is not in an ideal shape but good enough to be ready for the first match,” he admits. “One of the good things in tennis is that you get a new opportunity to prove your worth every week and take a step forward. I’ve turned over a new leaf.”
Awaiting Djokovic in his opening match will be French rising star Luca Van Assche who is currently at a ranking high of No.87 in the world and won two Challenger titles earlier this year. He also won the 2021 French Open boys’ singles title.
“I don’t know much about the young French player,” Djokovic said of Van Assche. “I thought Wawrinka would win the match. I saw [Van Assche] play but not for long, he is a real fighter, fast, it’s difficult to get past him. No one should be underestimated.”
The teenager managed to set up a showdown with the top seed by defeating Stan Wawrinka 1-6, 7-6(4), 6-4, in his first round match on Monday. It is only the second time in his career that he has won a main draw match on the ATP Tour.
“It will be incredible for me and I’m only 18,” the Frenchman said of facing Djokovic. “I know that the crowd will not be with me, I think, but I will enjoy it and I will try to win.”
This week is the first time in Djokovic’s career that he has played a professional tournament of any kind in Bosnia.
