(Rome) “Everything is fine, everything is fine,” assured Novak Djokovic on Thursday in Rome, on the eve of his entry into contention in the last big preparation tournament for Roland-Garros, when he has been handicapped in recent years. weeks with elbow pain.
“There are always a few little things here and there that get in the way, but that’s normal,” added the Serb without further details.
“And then when you are no longer 25, I think you feel things more (smile). It takes a little longer, I imagine, to recover. But I feel good, ”insisted the player who will turn 36 on May 22.
After missing the hard North American tour (Indian Wells and Miami) for lack of an anti-covid vaccine, Djokovic injured his right elbow just before returning to competition in Monte-Carlo in early April. He lost there in his second match, in 8are of final. Then he lost in the quarterfinals in Banja Luka before withdrawing to Madrid.
“I miss the competition,” he assured Thursday.
The world No.1, who will give up his place at the top of the ATP hierarchy to Carlos Alcaraz at the end of the Masters 1000 in Rome regardless of the results, must face the Argentinian Tomas Etcheverry on Friday in the second round. (61e).