Novak Djokovic feels good on court ahead of Dubai return: Getting closer to 100 percent

Novak Djokovic said that he is nearing full health after suffering a hamstring injury in Australia in January as he prepares to return to the ATP Tour in Dubai this week.

Djokovic tore his hamstring three centimeters while winning the Adelaide warm-up event before winning his 22nd Grand Slam title at Melbourne Park, tying Rafa Nadal. The Serb admitted that his participation in Dubai was in doubt until a few days ago, but that he had passed all of his fitness tests.

“Had a couple of weeks of no tennis. The last few days it’s really getting as much practice as possible to get myself back in shape to be able to compete at a high level,” Djokovic said.

“I haven’t felt pain on the court for a week. I’m getting closer to 100%. Still not there in terms of the game and how I feel on the court. But the important thing is there’s no pain. I don’t have a hindrance in the way I move on the court.

“After every injury it takes time for mechanisms to be balanced, for adjustments to be done on the court. It takes time to find that groove of moving effortlessly and not thinking about if something’s going to happen. I don’t have those thoughts.”

Djokovic begins the Dubai tournament as the world number one for the 378th time, surpassing Steffi Graf as the player with the most weeks at the top of the sport.

“It’s surreal to be that many weeks number one, to match Graf – one of the all-time greats,” Djokovic said. “Just being amongst these legendary names is flattering. I’m proud of it.”

Djokovic will take on Czech Tomas Machac in the first round of the Dubai Open on Tuesday.