Novak Djokovic brushed off concerns about his fitness after the defending champion battled past Jerzy Janowicz in the first round of the US Open on Monday
Novak Djokovic celebrates after defeating Jerzy Janowicz of Poland at the US Open on Monday. Pic/AFP
New York: Novak Djokovic brushed off concerns about his fitness after the defending champion battled past Jerzy Janowicz in the first round of the US Open on Monday.
Novak Djokovic celebrates after defeating Jerzy Janowicz of Poland at the US Open on Monday. Pic/AFP
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Djokovic had to call for a medical time-out just five games into the contest inside Arthur Ashe Stadium, when a trainer massaged the upper part of his right arm. The Serbian, who has admitted an injury to his left wrist has also not healed, looked uncomfortable throughout but he did enough to beat Janowicz 6-3 5-7 6-2 6-1.
He now faces Czech Jiri Vesely in Round Two and after the match the World No 1 was reluctant to discuss his physical issues. "It's getting better and better each day," Djokovic said. "I'm glad that I'm experiencing that. So hopefully as the tournament progresses, I'll reach my peak."
'Take each day as it comes'
Vesely can be a dangerous opponent while Marin Cilic, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and John Isner all lie in his quarter. "To be honest, I take it day by day. That's what I feel at the moment," Djokovic said. "It's good, as I said, just to finish the match. I'm pleased that as the match progressed I was feeling better and better.
"Tomorrow is a new day. I hope that I'll feel overall good so I'm able to perform at my best for the next match." Rafael Nadal is a potential foe in the semi-finals and he appeared far less troubled by his own wrist injury as he cruised past Denis Istomin 6-1 6-4 6-2.
The Spaniard will now face Andreas Seppi in the second round after the Italian overcame Frenchman Stephane Robert. Nadal played with his troublesome left wrist heavily bandaged and, while he seemed unrestricted, hitting 14 of his 21 winners off the forehand, the 30-year-old said he still lacks confidence on that side.
"I am hitting very well the backhand, but it's true that the forehand I need time. I need confidence and I need to keep practicing the forehand," Nadal said.
"It's not easy to go two months and a half out of competition in the middle of the season without hitting a forehand. I need to have the confidence again with my wrist. That is coming, because I feel the wrist much better."
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