Djokovic keen for fresh start

Originally published on 17/04/18 00:00

The Slovakian was an integral part of the former world No.1’s rise to prominence between 2006 and 2017, and the Serbian is thrilled to have him in his corner again, albeit on an initial short-term basis.

Little has gone right for Djokovic since he parted ways with Vajda, a close confidant, and a familiar face might just provide the Serbian with the spark he needs to reproduce the type of form that propelled him to the top.

“It's a fresh start I think for both of us. I missed him {Vajda],” Djokovic told the ATP website, while remaining tight-lipped on his ill-fated spell with Andre Agassi.

“We both enjoyed the past 10 days of practice we had. He knows me better than any tennis coach I've worked with. He's a friend. He's someone I can share a lot of things with, whether it's professional or private life. He's always there for me.

“He knows me inside-out. He knows what I need in order to get to the highest possible level of play.”

Vajda will have been encouraged by his charge’s faultless opening round win over Dusan Lajovic at the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters. Djokovic dropped just one game as he thrashed his compatriot in just 56 minutes.

It was a display of outstanding quality, and Djokovic believes he is finally pain-free after undergoing surgery on his troublesome right elbow.

“The intervention was done right, and I came back already after five weeks on the court from the moment I had the surgery. That's amazing, “ added the 12-time Grand Slam champion.

 “I still obviously wasn't ready game-wise, physically, so Indian Wells and Miami were really a kind of a struggle on the court for me mentally. I know that I can play much better than that, but I couldn't. I just wasn't ready.”

Djokovic is in second round action on Wednesday. He will challenge Borna Coric for a last sixteen berth in the principality.

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