BEIJING : Novak Djokovic said he was encouraged by the way his body was responding ahead of his China Open comeback as the 24-times Grand Slam champion looks to regain momentum at a tournament where he has enjoyed unparalleled success.
Djokovic will return to action for the first time since his shock opening-round defeat by Mariano Navone at the US Open last month, when the 39-year-old struggled with shoulder and back problems.
The world number 11 will face Portugal’s Nuno Borges in the first round in Beijing this week.
“Yeah, feeling good so far,” six-times China Open champion Djokovic told reporters on Monday.
“Let’s see. Obviously it’s completely different when you’re playing an official match compared to practice sets or practice sessions. But so far so good.
“I was looking forward to coming to China, as I always have. My record speaks for itself on Chinese soil.
“Knowing that, it also brings this dimension of confidence that I really need. Overall, it’s been really good so far with the body, the way I’m feeling and playing.”
Djokovic won the China Open in 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 and boasts a 29-0 record at the ATP 500 tournament.
The former world number one is chasing a record-extending 25th Grand Slam title but has become increasingly selective about his schedule in the later stages of his career.
“At this stage of my career it’s really also about the tournaments where I enjoy to play, where I’ve had the success in the past, where I feel like I’m also welcomed by the fans in a positive light, in a positive way,” Djokovic said.
“The history of my results on Chinese soil has been incredible. I haven’t played here 11 years. I was trying to make it work in the past years with the schedule, but it worked in such way where I played only Shanghai.”
