Novak Djokovic ‘optimistic’ about making Asia swing after reporting positive progress in injury battle

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Novak Djokovic celebrates in Cincinnati

Novak Djokovic admits he is likely to withdraw from the Japan Open ext week, but says he is ‘optimistic’ it will be the only tournament he misses.

The world number one retired injured from the US Open earlier this month during his last-16 clash with Stan Wawrinka.

Afterwards, he revealed he had been suffering for ‘weeks’ with a shoulder injury, and he has been resting since.

He has now made his way back onto the practice court, and was videoed training with the Serbia Davis Cup team in Belgrade yesterday.

The Japanese Open may come too early for him, but he appears confident of defending his Shanghai Masters crowd after that.

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“I have been training without pain for two days and that makes me optimistic about the idea of ​​fulfilling my calendar,” Djokovic is quoted as saying in the Express.

“Between today and tomorrow, I will decide if I play Tokyo, but I feel safe in Shanghai.”

Djokovic is still the world number one, but has Rafael Nadal breathing down his neck and is now facing a battle to end the year top of the pile.

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