Djokovic: “Keep your head in the game. I know I gotta keep mine”

Novak Djokovic is trying to keep a positive mindset as he embarks on the first tournament of his claycourt season at the Monte Carlo Masters.

Djokovic has played sparingly in 2018 as he deals with an ongoing elbow injury which required minor surgery following the Australian Open.

In just three tournaments this season he’s posted a lean 3-3 record, falling in the first round at both Indian Wells and Miami.

But as he declared he was “Monaco bound” for the start of his claycourt season, he reminded everyone that he has room to improve and learn in what is the 16th season in his pro career.

“Keep your head in the game. I know I gotta keep mine,” he said.

Djokovic won the Monte Carlo title in 2013 and 2015.

The Serb is one of several players looking to rebound during the claycourt season. Another is Stan Wawrinka, who posted a training update in what will be music to the ears of his many fans saddened by his ongoing struggles with a knee injury.

He makes me suffer then he’s an happy guy ????!! I’m smiling but crying from inside ????! #Pietro #workhard #enjoy #fitness ???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? pic.twitter.com/goMHC0gZRv

— Stanislas Wawrinka (@stanwawrinka) April 12, 2018

The Swiss star, a Roland Garros champion in 2015, stands to plummet in the rankings should he not have a strong claycourt season; last year he won the title in Geneva and reached the final at Roland Garros.

Wawrinka hasn’t played since Marseille in late February.

Meanwhile, how much of Serena Williams will we see in the claycourt season?

The 23-time major winner made a comeback to tennis after the birth of her daughter Alexis Olympia at the American hardcourt events in Indian Wells and Miami, reaching the third round at the former and losing her opening match at the latter.

A post shared by Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) on Apr 10, 2018 at 12:51pm PDT

In the three weeks since her first-round Miami loss to Naomi Osaka, Williams has promoted her documentary “Being Serena” and equal opportunity initiatives such as joining the advisory board – alongside sister Venus – of the Billie Jean King Leadership Initiative, which promotes equality and inclusion in workplaces.

Another female star, Maria Sharapova, has been inactive since a first-round loss to Osaka in Indian Wells.

Sharapova, who subsequently withdraw from Miami due to an ongoing forearm issue and a lung ailment, has thrown herself into her business ventures, visiting her Sugarpova headquarters in New York – and revealing four new flavours – and flying to Portland for meetings with Nike.

She’s also been doing a bit of training.

Sliding into…Tuesday ???????????

A post shared by Maria Sharapova (@mariasharapova) on Apr 10, 2018 at 6:51am PDT

Dominic Thiem has also been working towards a return, hitting the gym and indoor claycourts in a bid to be ready for beloved claycourt swing.

The Austrian has been sidelined since Indian Wells with a hairline ankle fracture, but is on the entry list for next week’s claycourt event in Monte Carlo.

Last year, Thiem reached the finals of Barcelona and Madrid and the semifinals at Rome and Roland Garros.

Let‘s get ready!???? Hard work every day! #???? #???????? #heretocreate

A post shared by Dominic Thiem (@domithiem) on Apr 9, 2018 at 10:42am PDT

Unlike all those mentioned above, Andy Murray isn’t expected to be sighted on the clay this spring.

Yet the Brit continues to rehabilitate his hip injury and has been practising with young Scot Aidan McHugh.

As per this article in The Guardian, Murray is due to make his comeback at the ATP grasscourt event in the Netherlands in June.

And while all that’s happening, Roger Federer hasn’t been active on social media since he took part in a Laver Cup promotional event in Chicago in mid March, just prior to his most recent competitive match – an opening-round loss to Thanasi Kokkinakis in Miami.

He announced he won’t play any claycourt events for the second year running, and will make his return in Stuttgart on grass in June.