Novak Djokovic is finally stepping back onto the court today, marking his return to tennis after nearly two months away. The ATP Tour has certainly missed his presence, and this will be only his third tournament of the year, taking place in the historic city of Rome.
The Serbian star has been sidelined longer than expected due to an injury, adding to what has already been a reduced schedule over the past few seasons. In a candid interview with Tennis TV, Djokovic opened up about his concerns heading into the comeback.
When asked about his fitness, his response was refreshingly honest: "Well, I'm ready enough to compete." He continued, "I'm not really the happiest with the level of tennis or where I am with my movement or the physical state, but it's getting there. It's getting there."
Djokovic admitted the extended break wasn't part of the plan. "I wanted to be back on the tour earlier, but I couldn't. I was injured and so I had to deal with it progressively." However, his mood brightened when discussing Rome—a city where he has lifted six titles and feels right at home.
"It's called the tennis Colosseum for a reason," he said with a smile. "The crowd is amazing, the venue is so historic and beautiful. It's just epic to be part of this tournament in every sense."
While Djokovic's return is big news, the tennis world is also buzzing about potential changes to the sport. A growing movement among players—led by stars like Aryna Sabalenka, with support from Coco Gauff and Jannik Sinner—is calling for a larger share of revenue from Grand Slam events. Djokovic addressed these discussions in his press conference, making it clear that while he isn't leading the charge, he stands firmly behind his fellow players.
"The players know they will always have my support," he stated, adding weight to the ongoing conversation about fairer compensation in the sport.
As Djokovic prepares to step onto the clay in Rome, fans will be watching closely to see if the legend can shake off the rust and add another chapter to his storied career at this iconic venue.