Novak Djokovic reveals why he has been struggling ahead of Madrid Open return

ATP Tour
Novak Djokovic speaks to the media

Novak Djokovic is back on a Masters 1000 stage this week at the Madrid Open, but he has admitted he is struggling to find his best form after a chaotic start to 2022.

The world No 1 has played only three events this year after missing the Australian Open, Indian Wells Masters and Miami Open due to his non-vaccinated Covid status.

Now the 20-time Grand Slam champion has questions to answer as he looks to hit top form ahead of the French Open and he has admitted he is struggling mentally on court.

“The challenge is definitely more on the mental and emotional side,” he revealed.

“Of course, I have never experienced anything similar to what I experienced early this season and I did not know how that’s going to affect me.

“It obviously still – you know, I still have to deal with it to some extent. It’s not as powerful that it was in the first two, three months of the year.

“I feel like the more I play, the more I’m in this environment, the more comfortable I feel.”

Djokovic will open his Madrid campaign against Gael Monfils in the second round on Tuesday and he will look to build on the momentum he gathered at the Serbia Open where he finished runner-up to Andrey Rublev.

Novak Djokovic

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