Novak Djokovic is doing everything in his power to return to the court in early November at the ATP 250 event in Athens. Novak's brother and tournament director, Djordje, confirmed that during the pre-tournament press conference.
Speaking at the Vanda Pharmaceutical Hellenic Championship press conference, Djordje expressed optimism that the 24-time Major winner will be fit to compete in front of the Greek fans and in the town where he lives since September.
The younger Djokovic praised the legend's approach to recovery, describing him as a true expert when it comes to fitness and rehabilitation. Novak pushed his body to the limits in Shanghai and Riyadh.
The 38-year-old has been managing physical issues at his first events since the US Open. He passed four rivals in China to become the oldest Masters 1000 semi-finalist.
Djokovic endured brutal conditions, physical setbacks and vomiting en route to the semi-final, where he fell to world no. 204, Valentin Vacherot. A week later, the legend entered the Six Kings Slam in Riyadh.
He suffered a heavy loss to Jannik Sinner in the quarter-final and faced Taylor Fritz in a match for the third place. They battled for 75 minutes before the American claimed the opener in the tie break.
Having nothing left in the tank, Novak retired and turned his focus on the recovery, hoping to enter Athens and the ATP Finals in Turin. In the meanwhile, he withdrew from the Paris Masters for the second straight year.
Thus, Djokovic shifts his focus toward full recovery ahead of the remaining two events of the season. The Serb would love to compete at the first ATP tournament in Greece since 1994.
After that, he plans to travel to Turin after qualifying for his record-tying 18th ATP Finals. As Djordje emphasized, Novak's mindset and discipline remain unmatched, always pushing to compete at the highest level.
"Novak is in a recovery process. He is a mastermind in the field of rehabilitation. He is doing everything he can for this so that he can take part in the tournament, in front of the Greek public," Djordje Djokovic said.
