Looking to rebound from his defeat at the hands of Rafael Nadal at the U.S. Open, Novak Djokovic is focusing on his next challenge, as he prepares to face Canada's Vasek Pospisil in Friday's Davis Cup singles action.
Djokovic believes he will ready and physically recovered from Monday's U.S. Open finals - having to deal with jet leg and acclimate to a different time zone due to his travel from New York City to Belgrade, Serbia for his match against Pospisil.
"I arrived yesterday, but it's not the first time that I have one or two days to get ready," said Djokovic. "I know my body, and I hope I can prepare for the opening match."
Pospisil, ranked 41st in the world, has never played against the world's top-ranked player and realizes he will have to adjust his game as he goes along while playing Djokovic in front of his home crowd.
"I have seen him play on TV lots of times, but it's going to be completely different on the court," said Pospisil. "I hope to learn as the match progresses."
Janko Tipsarevic will face Milos Raonic - Canada's top men's player, in the other men's singles match. Raonic's participation in this leg of the Davis Cup has caused Djokovic to reacquaint himself with playing on clay courts despite being the middle of the hardcourt tennis season, as a result of the host country attempting to slow down Raonic's serve.
"It's obvious that I'm tired, time zones, jet leg, plus adjustment to the clay," said Djokovic. "But I feel fine and have a lot of motivation playing for my country,"
Nadal is also gearing up for Davis Cup competition as he is set to face Ukrainian Sergiy Stakhovskiy in Madrid. Nadal has been on a roll having won three consecutive tournaments in Montreal, Cincinnati and the U.S. Open in New York City. Nadal admits to some fatigue but feels physically ready to help the Spanish team in any way possible.
"After winning three consecutive tournaments, it's impossible to have better feelings, but it is not a lot of time coming after a big effort," said Nadal. "However, I am willing to do everything possible to help the team. If I play on Friday, then its Friday, if its Saturday, then its Saturday and if not then I will do my best to help on Sunday. I am here and that means I am here to try and play."
Third-ranked Andy Murray travels to Croatia to take on 16-year-old Borna Coric in his Davis Cup singles match-up. Murray, representing Great Britian, is playing in his first Davis Cup in two years and will also team up with Colin Fleming in doubles competition, scheduling himself to play on all three days.
"I haven't seen Coric play but plenty of our guys have," Murray said to The Guardian regarding his young singles opponent. "He's very young and very inexperienced at this level but I'll be ready for him."
Live Television Coverage
2013 Davis Cup television coverage can be seen on the Tennis Channel with coverage beginning on Friday at 9:00 a.m to 4:00 p.m.
Live Streaming (Online)
Live stream coverage can be seen on DavisCup.tv.
Live Score
Live scores could be followed by clicking here.
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