Djokovic: "I will soon be back in good shape"

The number one in world tennis, Novak Djokovicis confident this Saturday after qualifying for the final of the Belgrade tournament, which he will play against Russia Andrew Rublev, and ensured that he was “on the right path to return in full form.”

“I feel more and more secure, more confident, it can always be better, but I’m on the right track,” said Djokovic, who has only played four games this year before the tournament in his hometown.

In Belgrade he played three more and in all of them he lost in the first set, but he came back and every day he shows more stability in his game.

“Considering I’ve played a little bit this year, it’s good that I have to play these games in three sets,” Djokovic said.

He noted that the rivalry against Rublev, number eight in the world, “will be the toughest.”

He had previously defeated the Russian Karen Khachanov (26) and to the Serbs Laslo Djere (50) at Myomir Kecmanovic (38).

Djokovic also admitted that “the amazing energy provided by the spectators” in their support “was invaluable” in providing assistance to his game.

Against Rublev he has only played one match so far, at the Turin Masters in November last year, and won two sets, but it was on a different surface (in Belgrade they were playing on clay).

“He’s one of the most successful tennis players in the world in recent years. His forehand is powerful, he’s a player who aims to dictate the rhythm and control the evolution of the game,” he said, but made sure he knew “what will ”and how to deal with that opponent.

“Hopefully I’ll start better than these days and then whoever is better wins,” the Serb said.

He stressed that in the tournament finals the most important thing is to “stay focused and calm, and play without oscillations, because the best tennis players immediately feel the fall to use it in their favor.”