Novak says he鈥檚 playing pain-free at last
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NOVAK Djokovic insists he is playing pain free for the first time in “years” as he pursues his comeback at the Miami Open.
The former world No. 1 has been beset with an elbow injury that sidelined him for six months after he was forced to retire in the Wimbledon quarterfinals last year.
A return to action at the Australian Open with a modified serving action resulted in a fourth-round defeat while a limp exit at Indian Wells last week only heightened doubts that the 30-year-old would ever add to his total of 12 Grand Slams.
Yet as the Serbian star fine-tuned his attempt to win in Key Biscayne for a record seventh time, he spoke of finally putting an end to the injury torment which has blighted his efforts to return to the form which saw him become the first man since the legendary Australian Rod Laver to hold all four majors at once less than two years ago.
“I actually started playing pain-free in the last two days. It’s quite refreshing because everything else had pain involved,” Djokovic said.
“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.”
Asked to clarify his injury situation, Djokovic added: “Actually it’s the first time in years (he has been injury free).”
Djokovic’s physical problems have clearly affected his once seemingly impenetrable mental strength. He swatted away a question about how he could challenge current world No. 1 Roger Federer, the Miami Open reigning champion, preferring to concentrate on the lessons learned during the most arduous of comebacks.
“I have learned a lot about myself. 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.”
Djokovic, who will play in the second round tomorrow, underwent a “small medical intervention” following his defeat in Melbourne and has been seen in the build up here simulating a baseball pitch to ensure his right elbow stands up to the test.
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