Former World No.1 Novak Djokovic has targeted the middle of the 2018 tennis season as when he expects to return to his best. The Serbian has not played since Wimbledon, and will not play again in 2017 due to injury.
Djokovic: “I can’t wait to play again, I miss my tennis racquet, I can’t wait to go back to the top again. But I don’t think I’m going to be able to make up for all the missed games and get back there straightaway.”I’m going to take it step-by-step. I believe that I will get there in the mid of next year, but I won’t complain if I get in shape somewhat earlier.”
Djokovic also stated that the likes of Federer and Nadal continue to inspire him: “Federer and Nadal are in many ways unique, among the best players in the history of the sport, people who have influenced me to become what I am.”
Djokovic also looked back at his play over the last eighteen months, admitting that this break is long overdue: “Their examples show that you can return to the top even after a break and a season in which their game was not at its best level. And I would like to remind you that I was the only player from the top that never took a break, and from this perspective, I think I should have done it right after the 2016 Roland Garros.”
If Djokovic’s timeline is taken at value, then the Serbian does not expect to seriously challenge for the Australian Open crown at the beginning of the season. The season-opening Grand Slam is by far Djokovic’s most successful Grand Slam event. Djkovic has won the event six times, often using a win in Melbourne as a springboard for some of his most successful campaigns.
Djokovic is one of a number of stars who has been forced to finish his 2017 season early due to injury. Andy Murray, Stan Wawrinka, and Kei Nishikori have all ended their seasons with hip, knee, and wrist injuries.
