Djokovic cites physical issues since Indian Wells

Novak Djokovic said on Friday that his body, not his schedule, dictated the long gap between Indian Wells and Roland Garros. Speaking in Paris before the start of the French Open, the 24-time Grand Slam champion said he spent the period after Indian Wells in rehabilitation and was unable to compete for several months. ATP Tour said Djokovic had missed more than six weeks after March’s BNP Paribas Open and returned only earlier this month in Rome, where he lost his opening match to Dino Prizmic. ### What exactly did Djokovic say about the gap since Indian Wells? Novak Djokovic told reporters on May 22 that he had wanted a fuller buildup but could not manage it physically. “To be honest, it was a higher force. I wanted to play more, but my body was not allowing me,” he said, according to ATP Tour. He added that he had been “going through rehabilitation process for my injury” and that “after Indian Wells, it was just not possible for me to compete for several months.” (atptour.com) The ATP Tour report said Djokovic had spent recent days trying to get “the game and the body” ready for best-of-five-set matches in Paris. He said the body’s response and his preparation had been positive over the previous 10 days. ### How much tennis has he actually played heading into Paris? The ATP Tour said Roland Garros will be only Djokovic’s fourth event of 2026. (atptour.com) It listed him at 7-3 for the season and said he returned in Rome earlier this month after the layoff, losing in three sets to Dino Prizmic in his first match there. Rome was important to Djokovic even though he was not fully ready, he said. “I was far from being ready to compete, but still, I needed at least that one match just to have the score called by the chair umpire and have experience of the nerves before I eventually come to Roland Garros,” he said, according to ATP Tour. (atptour.com) ### Was there already an injury concern in Indian Wells? (atptour.com) Indian Wells itself had already brought a physical warning sign. ATP Tour reported in March that Djokovic was managing an “odd” right forearm problem and had worn a compression sleeve on his right arm while reaching the fourth round in the California desert. That helps explain why Djokovic described the period after Indian Wells as rehabilitation rather than a voluntary break. (atptour.com) The ATP Tour account from Paris did not specify the injury beyond saying he had been recovering and was not able to compete for several months. ### What did he say about the French Open media protest? French Open players have discussed a media protest tied to prize money, and Djokovic said he would not be part of a boycott. (atptour.com) Reports aggregated by Yahoo and Yardbarker said he supported players’ concerns but was not involved in organizing the action and was not taking part himself. (atptour.com) The Associated Press reported this week that players were planning a media protest over prize money and said players claim their share of revenue had dropped to 14.3% compared with 22% at other events. ### What comes next for Djokovic in Paris? Roland Garros said on its official site that Djokovic is scheduled for the night session on Sunday, and ATP Tour said his first-round opponent is home favorite Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard. (sports.yahoo.com) The tournament’s official site lists the 2026 event as running from May 18 to June 7. Sunday’s match will also mark Djokovic’s record 82nd Grand Slam main-draw appearance, the Associated Press reported. (apnews.com 1) (apnews.com 2) (rolandgarros.com)