Novak Djokovic issues an explosive warning: the battle against the injury that could affect his participation in the French Open is dominating his schedule, and the king of tennis does not want to make hasty promises. Amid the hustle and bustle of the Laureus World Sports Awards in Madrid, where he shone as a presenter, the Serbian revealed that his main goal remains firm – to be fit for the second Grand Slam of the season, the French Open.
The 38-year-old champion, who has carefully managed his career with a significant reduction in the number of tournaments he plays, made it clear that his priority is to preserve his body and prolong his reign at the top of world tennis. Despite a season start marked by a tough loss to Jack Draper at Indian Wells and withdrawals from the competitions in Miami, Monte Carlo, and Madrid due to shoulder issues, Djokovic maintains his ambition to secure his 25th Grand Slam title.
“I have an injury, I hope to be ready at least for Roland Garros,” said Djokovic, speaking to the Spanish press during the Laureus ceremony. “I am working to get to Rome, but I cannot make predictions because everything depends on the evolution of the injury. At least for Roland Garros I am prepared.”
A possible absence from the Masters in Rome could be a strategic sacrifice to ensure a timely recovery for the iconic tournament in Paris. Even if he does not participate in Rome, there is still the possibility of a last-minute return at the Geneva Open, where he could fine-tune his preparation.
Djokovic has shown that he does not need extensive preparation to continue competing at the highest level. Last year, despite a modest showing in Monte Carlo and Madrid, he managed to reach the historic milestone of 100 ATP titles and an impressive semi-final at Roland Garros, after playing only six matches before the Grand Slam.
This pattern of energy conservation and focus during crucial moments of the season has been a clear strategy for the Serbian, who now faces the challenge of managing an injury that could dictate the pace of his season. With his competitive ability still intact, evidenced in the epic battle against Jannik Sinner at the Australian Open, tennis fans remain in suspense, eager to see if Novak Djokovic will return to dominate the French courts in 2026.
The Spanish communication from the champion, always perfect on social media, confirms his hope and determination: “I hope to be ready at least for Roland Garros.” The countdown to the conclusion of this saga has already begun, and the tennis world is on high alert. Is Djokovic preparing for a triumphant return or for an even tougher battle against time and injury? The answer is on its way and promises to be epic.
This article first appeared on Apito Final.
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