Sports
Who is Salil Ankola? From Tendulkarās debut partner to actor, selector and now battling depression
Salil Ankola, former cricketer, battles depression while reflecting on his career.
Yahoo Sports1 min read
TennisPreview
All eyes on Novak Djokovic: The seasonās first clay match fans canāt miss
TL;DR
Novak Djokovic returns to the court for his first clay match of 2026 at the Italian Open in Rome. After limited participation this season, he aims to make a significant impact in the tournament.
Key points
- Novak Djokovic returns for his first clay match of 2026
- He aims to make an impact at the Italian Open in Rome
- Djokovic has only competed in two events this season
- He was runner-up at the Australian Open
- He exited in the round of 16 at Indian Wells
Novak DjokovicItalian Open
Photo by Martin KEEP / AFP via Getty Images
After stepping away from the game for a short spell, Novak Djokovic is back and looking to make his mark on this yearās Italian Open in Rome.
Djokovic, who will be featuring in his first clay-court event of 2026, has received positive comments from Tracy Austin as he prepares for the tournament.
The 38-year-old has competed in just two events this season, finishing as runner-up at the Australian Open before a round-of-16 exit at Indian Wells.
He lost to Carlos Alcaraz in Melbourne and Jack Draper in California, but now has an opportunity to regain momentum on clay following his hard-court appearances.
Fans have reason to be optimistic about his form after he completed a practice session with Tomas Etcheverry ahead of the tournament.
Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
Why Djokovicās first clay appearance should have fans eager
Djokovic looked sharp in the session, managing the court well and showing good movement for this stage of the season.
What stood out even more, though, was how often he turned to the drop shot. Itās something he used effectively throughout their hit-out, and it seemed to catch his opponent off guard on several occasions.
Etcheverry had trouble dealing with it, and there were a few moments where he could only stand back and applaud the execution.
With Alcaraz sidelined due to a wrist injury and Sinner on the opposite side of the draw until a potential final meeting, there are openings that could play into Djokovicās hands.
The support was evident during his practice session against Etcheverry and should carry over into his opening match of Rome 2026. The fans will be hoping he can capitalise on a draw that looks favourable on paper.
Q&A
When is Novak Djokovic's first clay match of 2026?
Novak Djokovic's first clay match of 2026 will take place at the Italian Open in Rome.
What has Novak Djokovic achieved in the 2026 tennis season so far?
In the 2026 season, Novak Djokovic has been a runner-up at the Australian Open and exited in the round of 16 at Indian Wells.
What are Tracy Austin's comments about Novak Djokovic's performance?
Tracy Austin has made positive comments regarding Novak Djokovic as he prepares for the Italian Open.
How old is Novak Djokovic and how does it affect his performance?
Novak Djokovic is 38 years old, and his age may influence his performance and strategy as he competes in tournaments.
