During a media briefing in Rome, the world's top-ranked player, Novak Djokovic, expressed his belief that he can hit his stride for the French Open. He views the upcoming Italian Open as the perfect opportunity to showcase his readiness. He also noted that skipping the Madrid event was a strategic decision designed to prioritize his energy and preparation for the most prestigious tournaments on the horizon.
Turning 35 on May 22—just days before the French Open kicks off on May 26—the Serbian icon is eager to bounce back from his semi-final loss to Casper Ruud at the Monte Carlo Masters. Djokovic hopes to deliver a much stronger performance in Rome and beyond, stating that his primary goal is to build momentum toward Roland Garros. While he always aims for a deep run in every tournament, he's taking it one step at a time.
As a six-time champion and the top seed in the Italian Open, Djokovic starts the tournament with a first-round bye. He commented on how the expansion of tournaments like Rome and Madrid into nearly two-week events—similar to the format in Miami and Indian Wells—has helped his scheduling. According to Djokovic, this updated structure provides much-needed recovery time between matches, which is particularly beneficial for his physical longevity during a long run.
Djokovic is continuing to fine-tune his support team by bringing back his former physiotherapist, Miljan Amanovic, for select parts of the season. Amanovic is a familiar face, having worked with the star from 2007 to 2017 and again from 2018 to 2022. This move follows a period of significant restructuring in Djokovic's camp, which included parting ways with his coach, Goran Ivanisevic, and his PR team.
Djokovic emphasized the importance of surrounding oneself with a high-caliber team of experts who bring not only technical knowledge but also psychological insight. He explained that having people who know when to offer support and when to give him space is crucial, especially since the grueling nature of the tour means players often spend more time with their staff than with their own families.
You spend a lot of time on the tour together. You see them much more than you see your family, especially when you’re younger when you’re traveling every single week of the year, the Serbian concluded.