Djokovic hopes Murray will be fit for Paris

 

Originally published on: 16/05/13 00:00

Following the Brit’s shock retirement against Marcel Granollers at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia, there were no such troubles for Djokovic, who needed less than an hour to see off Alexandr Dolgopolov 6-1 6-4 on Thursday.

The world No.1, who will be bidding to complete a career Grand Slam at the French Open, continues his rehabilitation from an ankle injury that has hindered the start of his clay court season.

"I've been pain-free for a week but I'm still very cautious in my warm-up and recovery,” Djokovic said. “I want to do the best for it as possible. I don't think it will bother me any more and I don't think about it when I'm on the court."

Murray expressed fears over his participation at the French Open after he withdrew from the Rome Masters 1000 event with lower back pain on Wednesday.

However, Djokovic says there is still a chance his friend and rival will recover in time to play in the second major of the year, which begins on May 26. 

"It would be a pity if he doesn't play,” Djokovic said of Murray. "He's one of the top players, it is a loss for any tournament for him to be missing. I don't know the level of his injury, he is the best one to know how he feels.

"But perhaps he will have time to recover, we will know more in the next few days. There is the most value in the Grand Slams, that's where you want to make your mark and play your best."

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