- Novak Djokovic has had minor surgery in a bid to ease his ongoing elbow injuries
- The former world No 1 insisted he is now on the ‘good road to full recovery’
- Djokovic was knocked out of Australian Open by young Korean Hyeon Chung
Novak Djokovic stepped up his bid to fix his troublesome elbow as Serbian ace opened up about a recent ‘medical intervention’.
The 12-time Grand Slam champion and former world No 1 wrote on his Instagram page on Friday: ‘It seems like I am on the good road now to full recovery.’
Djokovic sat out the last half of 2017 because of problems with his right arm, saying it had been bothering him for more than a year.
Novak Djokovic has opened up about recent minor surgery to ease his continued elbow injury
The former world No 1 has been plagued with elbow issues as he fell down the ATP rankings
The 30-year-old Serb made a late decision to enter the Australian Open last month, and demonstrated he was clearly hampered by the elbow in a straight-set loss to Hyeon Chung of South Korea in the fourth round.
Djokovic looked in real discomfort throughout and took a medical timeout to have his elbow massaged by a physio.
In the statement Djokovic informed his followers that ‘it was not easy for me to choose which way to go and what to do.’
The Serb took to Instagram to inform his followers of his physical condition around his elbow
‘I took six months off last season hoping to come back fully recovered, but I still felt pain’ he continued.
‘I really missed competing, it’s in my blood and I had to try on AO. I agreed with my team that I would try different methods after I finish in Australia and a few days ago I accepted to do a small medical intervention on my elbow.
‘It’s quite a journey this one, I have to say. I’m learning a lot and for that I am grateful.’
Djokovic follows Briton Andy Murray down the surgical route after the British No 1 took action in a bid to ease his hip injury.
Djokovic was ousted from the Australian Open in the fourth round by Korean Hyeon Chung
After a disappointing first Grand Slam of the year, Djokovic may target a top-level return in time for the French Open at Roland-Garros in May.
The current No 14 rounded his statement off with a message of positivity as he works to return to the court in the best shape following his disappointing start to 2018.
‘I’ve always taken care of my body and looked for the most natural ways to heal, and my body has rewarded me with some incredible years on tour,’ he said.
‘I am super positive and excited to follow my recovery through so I can come back to the place I love the most. The court.