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8 May 2026 | 08.00
At this stage of his career, Novak Djokovic knows that taking care of his body is crucial to stay in the game, even though a special stop like the Rome Masters 1000 deserved an extra effort even though his body is not yet at 100%.
This is the conclusion we draw after hearing the Serbian at the Media Day of the Italian tournament last Thursday, where he made it clear that it might be too early to show his best version on the court, but the calendar would not allow him more rest in this final leg of the clay court swing. Without playing an official match since the Indian Wells round of 16, it was time to step up and test himself again on the front line. A place where Novak Djokovic usually responds like few others.
"Let's say that I am prepared enough to go out there and compete," stated the Belgrade native when the reporter asked him yesterday about how he was arriving at this event. "I am not entirely happy with my current level of tennis, nor with my mobility on the court, basically, I am not satisfied with my physical condition, but it is true that it is improving as the days go by. I wanted to return to the tour as soon as possible, but the reality is that I couldn't," explained the Balkan player, who hopes to have in Italy the necessary display of minutes to warm up for Roland Garros, the second Grand Slam of the season.
"I have been injured, so I had to deal with these setbacks progressively," argued Nole, knowing that if an effort had to be made, even returning despite not being yet at 100%, Rome was the place worth taking such a risk. "Now I am here, at the Rome Masters 1000, a place I always love to come back to and where I have also had a lot of success. So I am very excited to compete again and do it in a place like this," he assessed the day before facing his debut match against Dino Prizmic.
Djokovic explains why playing in Rome is like playing at home
Djokovic's relationship with the Rome tournament goes way back, very far back. Specifically, since his debut in 2007, when he fell in the quarterfinals against Rafa Nadal. Since then, he has 18 appearances at the Foro Italico, which will be 19 when he steps on the court this afternoon at 3:00 p.m. Six trophies in his collection (2008, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2020, 2022) and six more runner-up finishes (2009, 2012, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2021) that add up to a record of 68-12. In other words, one of those tournaments that reflect what the Serb has been in his career, an absolute competitor who has always been close to victory. And, as a result, this ended up creating a tremendous connection within him with the place.
"I am very familiar with the tournament, the whole venue, and the group of people who work here. In fact, many of them have been working here for decades; I remember them from the Italian Tennis Federation, with whom I have had a close relationship for years. They have been very kind to me since I was young and came here to Rome for the first time... this would be more than 20 years ago. That's why I always look forward to coming back here; it is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, where I also receive great support. I speak a little Italian, which always helps to better connect with people, so I am fully happy to be here," affirmed Nole.
This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Djokovic, antes de debutar en Roma: “No estoy del todo contento con mi estado físico”
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