Courier on Djokovic's Participation in Geneva: "It's Great News for Tennis"

Novak Djokovic has decided not to play the Masters 1000 in Rome. Having been eliminated early in his last two tournaments in Monte-Carlo and then in Madrid, the former world number 1 announced that he would skip the Italian tournament.

However, the Serbian will indeed participate in a tournament in order to prepare for the French Open, which begins in two weeks and is his next major goal. Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam winner, will compete in the ATP 250 tournament in Geneva in the coming days to try and regain confidence before the start of the Paris Major.

A decision that has prompted discussions among tennis observers recently, but it delights Jim Courier. The American expressed relief to see Djokovic getting back into the competitive rhythm before the start of the French Open.

"It's great news for tennis and for Novak, who will at least get to play a match. You remember that last year, he was hit on the head by a bottle in Rome and lost very quickly? Then he went to Geneva and made it to the semifinals.

He lost to Machac, and I would say he didn't give his best in that match because he had his eye on Paris. I'm expecting the same thing. If he wins two or three matches in this tournament, that would be perfect for him.

I just think that, if he's healthy, is there anything to worry about with him playing in Geneva? To be honest, I'd be more worried if he didn't play. I think playing is good for him. The fact that he didn't play in Rome was a big concern.

But, now, I would say that his scheduling starts to make more sense. Maybe it was time for him to go home to recharge, then restart, using Geneva as a springboard to prepare well for the French Open," the former world number 1 explained in the past few hours to the media Tennis World Italia.