Novak Djokovic's road to Roland Garros: Is the World No. 1 back to full fitness?

Novak Djokovic got his 2022 season back on track at the Serbia Open. Although the World No. 1 could not go all the way in front of his home fans, losing to Andrey Rublev in three sets in the final, he got some much-needed match practice under his belt.

The Serb was taken to three sets in four of his matches, spending at least two hours on court on each occasion. His opening fixture against Laslo Djere crossed the three-hour mark.

While the 20-time Grand Slam champion showed signs of his best form, there is still work to be done. He looked completely exhausted during the deciding set against Rublev as well as in the loss against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina at the Monte-Carlo Masters, which is quite uncharacterstic of the 34-year-old, who prides himself on his fitness.

Speaking in his press conference after the match against Rublev, the World No. 1 remarked that it was a "worrying" development that he hoped to address in the coming days.

Interestingly, the Serb made it clear that it was not COVID-related, but an unnamed illness that has been messing with his metabolism ever since Monte-Carlo.

"It's not Covid, it's something else, but I wouldn't want to go into details. I don't think it's necessary. It's just something that affects my body and my metabolism for a few weeks. It's a little worrying that I have this feeling on the field because I haven't had it for many years," Djokovic said. "I train, I do things that I have always done and I am considered someone who is in the best shape on the tour. It's not a body thing, it's just something that affects me, but from week to week it will get better and better."

This is not the first time this "unnamed illness" has been brought up in the last few days in reference to the 20-time Grand Slam champion. Speaking in a recent interview, the 34-year-old's coach Goran Ivanisevic commented that the Serb was "not 100% fit" during his Monte-Carlo loss.

Ivanisevic mentioned that Djokovic got sick prior to the match, but didn't reveal the exact nature of the illness. However, the Croat sounded confident that the World No. 1 would be back to full fitness by the time the French Open kicks off at the end of May.

"[Djokovic] wasn’t feeling well before he came here. He was sick. Let’s say he’s not fit one hundred percent to compete. Three weeks ago he was not allowed to play here because of the Covid decision. Then France opened and he was allowed. And it’s difficult mentally," Ivanisevic said. "And then he got sick. And, to be honest, I didn’t expect something spectacular from this tournament. But he’ll be going to the French Open in five/six weeks, he’s got a couple more tournaments and he will be ready."

Novak Djokovic will attempt to win his first title of the year at the Madrid Masters

Novak Djokovic's quest for a first title in 2022 will move on to Madrid next

Following his stint in Serbia, Novak Djokovic will head to Spain for the Madrid Masters, where he will continue his quest for his first title of the year. The World No. 1 will be joined by a very strong line-up, including the likes of defending champion Alexander Zverev, 21-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal and reigning Monte-Carlo champion Stefanos Tsitsipas.

The Serb is a three-time champion in Madrid, winning the 2011, 2016 and 2019 editions. A win in Madrid this time around will see the 34-year-old extend his record haul of Masters 1000 titles to 38, as well as strengthen his grip on the No. 1 ranking.