Novak Djokovic is finally back to competitions after his 3 weeks’ break that followed his US Open withdrawal.
The Serbian sensation had to cope with a nasty injury to his left shoulder. It wasn’t clear the magnitude of this problem and even reports were saying that his injury was severe. Novak also confirmed that he didn’t think he could compete in Asia after a first assessment. Then he “found the solution” and after a couple of practices in Serbia, the world no.1 decided to compete in Tokyo and Shanghai.
Chasing Nadal
Novak has almost 2000 points less than Nadal in the Year to Date rankings. Winning the Japan Open will greatly help him to reduce his gap. Conquering Tokyo means getting ready to challenge the Spaniard for ending the year as the world no.1.
About his shoulder
The Serbian sensation looked pleased after his first match in Japan following his 6-4 6-2 win over the Australian rising star Alexei Popyrin.
Djokovic commented:
“I thought from really the beginning to the end, I played really well and on a consistent, high level and good intensity. Shoulder is good. I have not felt anything in the previous days, including today, in the match. So I am very pleased to say that and to feel healthy.”
Nole will test his shoulder with Go Soeda on Wednesday hoping to have another smooth sailing.
Djokovic in Tokyo, ranking, and results in 2019
Now the world no.1, the Serbian has a 42-8 win-loss record in 2019. Djokovic is playing at the moment in Tokyo where he toppled Alexei Popyrin 6-4 6-2.
Djokovic will come up against Soeda in the 2nd round. They have never played each so far on the main tour.
The Serbian conquered 3 titles in 2019 at the Australian Open, in Madrid and in Wimbledon. The Serbian was the finalist in Rome.
Djokovic won 75 titles in his career: 43 on hard courts, 14 on clay courts, 12 on indoor courts and 6 on grass courts. (See the list of his titles)
Novak Djokovic |
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