Djokovic: Muscle tear almost 100 per cent healed

PODGORICA - Serbia's top-ranked tennis player Novak Djokovic said on Monday a muscle tear in his thigh was now almost 100 per cent healed.

Djokovic, who was forced to withdraw from the Australian Open semi-final against Alexander Zverev due to the injury, is now in Montenegro, where he is preparing for the February 17-22 Doha ATP tournament.

"The muscle tear is gone now, the injury has healed almost 100 per cent and I am ready to head to new victories. I have the green light from my medical team to train and prepare. Under the schedule, the Doha tournament is seven days away now, so I am sticking to my schedule. Thank God, I have managed to recover quickly," Djokovic told Podgorica-based Vijesti daily.

He said that he had faced slightly more injuries recently compared to the first 15 years of his career.

"That probably comes with age, but my body still listens to me. I still have the fire and the desire in me for accomplishing things and for new achievements. That is why I am hoping for success in Doha next week, as well as in the rest of the season," Djokovic said.