Djokovic Announces Recovery Progress, Aims for 100th ATP Title in Doha
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Synopsis
Novak Djokovic has announced that his leg injury is nearly healed as he prepares to compete in the Qatar Open on February 17. The former World No.1 is targeting his historic 100th ATP title, marking a significant milestone in his illustrious career.
Key Takeaways
- Novak Djokovic reports his injury is healing well.
- He will compete in the Qatar Open starting February 17.
- His goal is to achieve 100 ATP titles.
- Djokovic has received clearance from his medical team.
- He remains optimistic about his career longevity despite injuries.
New Delhi, Feb 10 (NationPress) Former World No.1 Novak Djokovic has shared an encouraging update regarding his physical condition, stating that his leg injury — which led to his retirement from the Australian Open semifinals — is now "almost 100 percent healed". The 37-year-old Serbian player is preparing to make his comeback at the Qatar Open in Doha, commencing February 17, as he aims for the historic achievement of claiming his 100th ATP title.
In an interview with Montenegrin publication Vijesti, Djokovic confirmed that his medical team has authorized him to return to full training and competition. "There’s no longer any muscle tear. The injury is almost 100 percent healed, and I’m ready to go for more victories," Djokovic stated. "I have the green light from the medical team to train and prepare. The Doha tournament is in seven days, and I’m adhering to my schedule."
Djokovic's pursuit of a record-extending 25th Grand Slam title at the Australian Open was interrupted when he had to retire due to injury after losing the first set against Alexander Zverev in the semifinals. The injury had already caused him issues during his quarterfinal match against Carlos Alcaraz, raising doubts about his immediate future in the sport.
However, with his recovery progressing rapidly, Djokovic is now concentrating on joining the elite group of players who have achieved 100 ATP titles, alongside tennis legends Jimmy Connors and Roger Federer. "I’ve been pursuing it [100th ATP title] for a while, since last October. But we’ll see, it’ll come when it comes," he remarked.
Despite encountering more injuries in recent years, the 24-time Grand Slam champion continues to maintain a positive outlook on his longevity in the sport. "Thank God I managed to recover quickly. I’ve had a few more injuries recently compared to the first 15 years of my career. It probably comes with age, but my body is still serving me well and I still have the flame and desire," he noted.
Djokovic has faced injuries over the past year, notably missing the French Open quarterfinals in 2023 due to a right knee injury that necessitated meniscus surgery. He returned in time for Wimbledon, where he lost to Alcaraz in the final, but rebounded to secure his first Olympic gold medal by defeating the Spaniard at Roland Garros.
