Djokovic ready for Rome

Novak Djokovic is ready to return from the right wrist injury that forced him to withdraw from the Madrid Open a week ago.

Ahead of the French Open, Djokovic’s physiotherapist Pavel Kolar said the six-time grand slam champion was expected to feature at the ATP 1000 event in Rome. 

“He should be ready for Rome, that’s the plan. The French Open should follow,” Kolar said. 

The French Open is the only grand slam Djokovic is yet to win, mainly due to Rafael Nadal’s dominance on clay. 

The second-ranked Serb had a couple of long practice sessions over the weekend as he prepares for this week’s Italian Open.

Djokovic won the title in Italy in 2011 and 2008 but every other year since 2005 has been Nadal’s – including thrashing Federer in the 2013 final. 

Djokovic says he’s been pain-free for 10 days and ‘much more confident at the state of my wrist and I know that I’m ready much more to play a match than I was one week ago’.

When Djokovic lost to Roger Federer in the Monte Carlo Masters semifinals last month, his wrist was heavily strapped and he was unable to play at his usual level.

He opens in Rome against Czech veteran Radek Stepanek.