Monday 29 June 2015 07:51, UK
World No 1 Novak Djokovic is adamant that a lack of match practice on grass will not hinder his bid for a third Wimbledon title.
The Serb is aiming to erase the bitter memory of his French Open heartache by retaining the title at SW19 but opted against playing any competitive tennis after losing the Roland Garros final to Stan Wawrinka.
And while Djokovic has only made a couple of gentle grass-court exhibition appearances at the Boodles invitational event, rivals Roger Federer, Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal have all won a Wimbledon warm-up event over the last three weeks.
This approach to the start of Wimbledon isn’t new for the 28-year-old, however.
Djokovic contested the last two finals at the All England Club, beating Federer in a five-set classic last year after losing to Murray in 2013, and he is still confident of a strong challenge again this time around.
"In the last couple of years I haven't been playing any lead-up tournament to Wimbledon and I still managed to play the final two years ago and to win the title last year, even though my rivals like Murray, Federer, Nadal, have been winning grass court tournaments," Djokovic said.
"It's not my concern, honestly. I just want to get myself in the best possible shape.
"I'm aware of the adjustment that is required movement-wise, game-wise, and also mentally for the grass courts coming from clay courts."
After failing to win the one Grand Slam that has so far eluded him, Djokovic retreated with his family to his Monte Carlo base to recharge mentally and physically. The defeat to Wawrinka was the third time in the last four years he had lost the Paris final.
However, the eight-time Grand Slam winner says he takes heart from the way he has dealt with similar setbacks in the past.
"Right after I lost the match, of course, there was this sense of disappointment. There is no doubt about it. I felt that for some days after it," said Djokovic, who starts his title defence against Germany's Philipp Kohlschreiber on Centre Court on Monday.
"It's something that the traces may stay, let's say, for some time.
"It took me some time really to recover and to rest. I didn't want to think about tennis too much. I spent time with my family.
"But you always try to train your mind to look on the bright side, to move on, and just take it as a lesson, and something that will give you that strength.
"Because of the matches like against Stan, I have become stronger and I've learned how to grow in the process.
"It's brought me a lot of mental and emotional strength. I managed to get the necessary reset in my mind."
With the French Open at least pushed to the back of his mind for now, Djokovic is keen to revive his previously-dominant 2015 campaign in London.
Before losing in Paris, he had been on 28-match winning streak and has won 41 of his 44 matches this year.
"Before Roland Garros, I've lost only two. I had one of the best season starts in my career," Djokovic said.
"All in all, it was another great tournament. But I needed that rest to recharge my batteries and get myself in a proper state of mind so I can start all over again."
