Djokovic Is In Rome Ready To Test His Injured Ankle

Written by: Bob Larson Tennis on 14th May 2013

Djokovic Is In Rome Ready To Test His Injured Ankle

epa03671305 Novak Djokovic of Serbia returns the ball to Rafael Nadal of Spain during his final match at the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters tournament in Roquebrune Cap Martin, France, 21 April 2013. EPA/GUILLAUME HORCAJUELO |

Novak Djokovic will put his injured ankle to another pre-French Open test as the top seed begins with a second-round start in Rome. Djokovic has been on the red clay of the Foro Italico for several days after traveling to Italy the day after his mid-week first-round loss in Madrid.

“I didn’t get much practice after (winning) Monte Carlo (in April) and so I need to spend more time on the court and this is it,” said the Serb. “The program so far it’s going well. I feel better and the ankle is not bothering me,” he said of the injury which he has been dealing with since early last month.

The two-time Rome champion added prior to his start: “I’m getting ready and I love the support and lots of kids screaming my name and it’s a positive thing and I speak Italian and I so feel like a local and winning here twice will help me have a great time.

“I want now to direct my attention to this tournament and not to the Roland Garros and find my right form as in Monte Carlo (where he beat Rafael Nadal in the final) – I believe I can do it. In this tournament there are many great players in great shape.

“It won’t be easy to win it again, but it’s not the first time in my career and hopefully this tournament will be the lucky one for me.”