"When you're not 20-25 anymore, you experience that a bit more": Djokovic gives injury update after sluggish Rome Open start

Novak Djokovic labelled conditions at the Rome Open an 'absolute disaster' but still prevailed against Tomas Etcheverry in a sluggish start to his tournament.

Brushing off too much clay on the top surface, he was also brushing off recent injury woes and said post match after Jose Mourinho and Stefan Edberg watched on, that it is part of life as you get older.

“It’s all good,” he said of the injury. “There are always some things here and there that bother you at this level. It’s normal.

“When you’re not 20-25 anymore, you experience that a bit more than what used to be the case.

“I feel good. Historically throughout my career, Rome has been a very nice tournament for me, I had success in it many times, and got to finals.

“It’s my most successful clay court event. Coming into the French Open it can be a great springboard for what’s coming up in Paris where I want to be at my best.”