"I'm on a good route to peak at Roland Garros": Novak Djokovic ready for Rome return after a month away from action

Novak Djokovic returns to action this weekend after a month away from tennis after Monte-Carlo missing Madrid last week for instance in what has been a fairly stop start season for the World No.1. But he will head towards Roland Garros still as number one and also the favourite with the rest of the top names all floundering with injuries.

Speaking in press on Wednesday ahead of his return, he is very much looking forward to returning and admitted that his goal very much is to peak towards Roland Garros as well as Wimbledon and the Olympic Games that subsequently follow.

“I had plenty of time to also rest and train (and) had a good training block,” he said. “I arrived here two days ago to get a hit on the Centre Court, as well, obviously stay four or five days training before my first match with top players.

“Obviously it’s different when you train with them, playing practice sets, seeing where your game is at, kind of working your way towards the fine form for the first official match (but) I think I’m on a good route to peak at Roland Garros in Paris. Hopefully here in Rome I can play better than I did in Monte-Carlo. That’s the wish, obviously, is always to go far.”

He also adapts to not having his old fitness coach Gebhard Phil-Gritsch back in tow as well as Nenad Zimonjic who continues as sort of consultant role with Djokovic yet to fully move on to a new face after Goran Ivanisevic was suddenly disposed of after Indian Wells.

“It didn’t take much time to adapt to his programme and approach,” Djokovic added. “We know each other really well. That’s why I feel like we’re synchronised from the very beginning in terms of what we want to do, how we want to approach the program of training on and off the court. With Nenad of course, as well.

“So, yeah, I’m pleased with the way the last 10 days, 14 days went in terms of training, in terms of preparation and looking ahead to this tournament, but particularly Roland Garros, Wimbledon and Olympic Games. That’s the block for which we are preparing the most.

“We just have to see, wait and see, how it’s going to be translated, that work, or transformed into a good performance on the court.”