The right elbow of Novak Djokovic is “not in an ideal condition,” he has acknowledged. The world number one, who underwent joint surgery in 2018, raised concerns about his condition when he battled during a shocking loss to Lorenzo Musetti in Monte Carlo last week and wore strapping on his elbow. After that loss, Djokovic declined to discuss the subject, but he spoke candidly during a news conference this week before his opening round at the Srpska Open in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Djokovic told reporters in Banja Luka: “The elbow is not in an ideal condition, but let’s say it’s good enough. I hope it will be fully ready for the first match.”
Novak Djokovic in 2023
Ranked world no.1, Djokovic played his last match on the 13th of April when he surrendered to world no.20 Lorenzo Musetti 4-6 7-5 6-4 in the 3rd round in Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters (draw).
This year Djokovic has achieved a compiled 16-2 match record. The Serbian has won 2 titles in 2023 in Adelaide and Australian Open.
He is also scheduled to play in Rome (Internazionali BNL d’Italia) after Madrid. The main draw will start on the 26th of April.
Van Assche in Banja Luka, ranking, and results in 2023
Now the world no.87 (career-high), the French player achieved a compiled 16-9 record in 2023. The French player is now competing in Banja Luka where he defeated the world no.84 Stan Wawrinka 1-6 7-64 6-4.
Luca Van Assche will face the world no.1 Novak Djokovic in the 2nd round on Wednesday at 3:00 pm on CENTRE COURT. In the past, they have never competed against each other so far on the main tour.
Luca clinched 2 titles in 2023 in the Pau Challenger and the Sanremo Challenger.
He is also scheduled to play in Rome (Internazionali BNL d’Italia) after Madrid. The main draw will start on the 26th of April.
Novak Djokovic and Luca Van Assche have never squared off.
Novak Djokovic |
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