Novak Djokovic has been apparently struggling with an injury but he doesn't like to talk about it a lot.
At the 2023 Monte-Carlo Masters, the Serb lost already in the third round to Lorenzo Musetti but fans were interested especially in his physical condition as a compression sleeve on Djokovic's right arm sparked some injury concerns.
After the match, Djokovic avoided addressing the injury but soon it became apparent that he picked it up on Sunday during a practice with Matteo Berrettini. Photos of the painful moment emerged and so it was expected that once Djokovic arrives to Banja Luka, he will be asked about the injury.
“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.”
In the second round of the 2023 Srpska Open in Banja Luka, many were looking forward to an expected clash of the Serb and Stan Wawrinka. However, the Swiss player lost in the first round to Luca van Assche and so Djokovic has to prepare for a young opponent.
“I’ve never met this player before, I don’t know much about him. I know he’s young, I know he’s just joined the top 100, and I really thought Wawrinka was going to win today, he led most of the match. So it is indeed a surprise, the victory of this fighting Frenchman (…) fast, very difficult to control.”
But one thing that the 22-time Grand Slam winner can rely on is the support from the fans. He feels like at home in Banja Luka and the stands will be filled with people holding Serbian flags and shouting Djokovic's name.
“It feels great to be here. I’ve been to Banja Luka several times in the past, once to visit the president and to receive a medal of honor and then the second time was in 2009, I played with Viktor Troicki an exhibition match in an indoor facility here. So I remember those couple of visits really fondly.”
“The people welcome me wholeheartedly with great reception and so much love and support. So I’m super excited to be here because I think it’s one of the best places for us Serbian tennis players and athletes in general to be able to perform where we have so much love and support from local people.”
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