GENEVA: World number one Novak Djokovic has received a wild card to play on the ATP Tour next week in Geneva in a bid to revive his incredible pace ahead of his French Open defence.
Djokovic, who turns 37 on Wednesday, joins three-time major champion Andy Murray and seventh seed Kasper Ruud at the Swiss clay court event.
“He will enter the second round on Tuesday or Wednesday,” a tournament spokesman told AFP, adding that the Serbian star is likely to have a bye in the first round.
Djokovic, a record 24th men’s Grand Slam champion, entered the season at a high standard.
He failed to reach the final on the tour in 2024, with his best performances coming in the semi-finals of the Australian Open and the Monte Carlo Masters.
Unknown Chilean Alejandro Tabilo was knocked out of the Rome Open in the third round last weekend.
Djokovic was injured when he was accidentally hit on the head with a water bottle while signing autographs on a court in Italy.
At first he laughed and even showed up to practice wearing a bicycle crash helmet.
However, she reportedly suffered from nausea and dizziness.
Djokovic will be chasing his 99th title at the Swiss Open.
