World number two Novak Djokovic admitted that he had been told not to divulge too much information about his private life – especially about the expected due date of his fiancée Jelena Ristic. The couple announced recently that they are expecting their first child.
“I have been told not to say too much,” the Serbian said last Sunday at the start of the ROme Masters. “I cannot say the date, but it will happen at the end of the year.”
Djokovic will turn 27 on May 22 and is making a return to tennis action at the Italian city. His last match was back on April 19 where he lost to Roger Federer in the semifinals of the Monte Carlo Masters. He skipped Madrid Masters to recuperate from nagging wrist injury.
“It was a big decision not to go to Madrid, but I had to assess the risk in competing as it might have compromised my participation in future tournaments. I did not want it to become chronic. The wrist is something that is always active as a tennis player, who hit thousands of balls per day.
“I did not feel any pain four days before I was supposed to go to Madrid [for the Mutua Madrid Open], though the medical team advised me not to go. I listened to what they said, because I wanted it to heal 100 per cent.
“I have practised and my wrist has been monitored. All the experts – a few doctors and my physiotherapist – said that after I played points and full training, I was able to return to tournament play. Right now, I feel confident about the state of my wrist. I am more ready than I was one week ago to play a match.”
Djokovic is aiming for a third title at the Foro Italico. He last won the event back in 2011. He’s scheduled to compete against Radek Stepanek of Czech Republic on his opening match.
“I hope I have the mental and physical freshness in returning here,” said Djokovic. “I do not like to skip the big tournaments. I have been injury-free the past five years, but this time the injury kept me away. Having missed Madrid, it might influence my first match here against Stepanek. But I am looking for that edge. I need clay matches and get myself on a run of confidence.”
