Fit-again Novak Djokovic aiming for 100th career title in Doha

Novak Djokovic has almost recovered from a muscle tear in his leg which he suffered at the Australian Open. The Serbian’s quest for his 100th career and 11th Australian Open title ended when he was forced to retire after losing the opening set in the semifinal clash against Alexander Zverev.

After he decided to retire, Djokovic was booed by the Melbourne crowd and later he posted a scan of his injury on his social media handle.

Djokovic has revealed he has attained full fitness and he wants to clinch his 100th title in Doha. The Qatar Open will begin on February 17 in Doha and Djokovic will want to go all the way.

“There is no more rupture in the muscle, the injury is almost 100% healed …,” Djokovic, 37, told Montenegrin daily newspaper Vijesti in an interview published Monday.

“I have the green light from the medical team to be able to train, to be able to prepare. The tournament in Doha is scheduled for a week now, so I am sticking to the schedule. Thank God, I managed to recover quickly.

“I have had a few more injuries lately than I did in the first 15 years of my career. That probably comes with age, but my body still listens to me, the flame and desire for achievement and new achievements still burns in me.”

Djokovic won his 99th title at the Paris Olympics in August but lost against World No.1 Jannik Sinner in the summit clash of the Shanghai Masters in October.

“I hope that the 100th trophy can come already in Doha, I’ve been chasing it for a long time, since October last year, but about that — it will come when it’s supposed to come,” said the 37-year-old, who won the title in Doha in 2016 and 2017.

“I know it will come, we’ll see when and where.”