Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer (Photo : Getty Images)
World No.1 Novak Djokovic is grateful to have Roger Federer back in tennis action after recovering from a knee surgery that sidelined the Swiss Maestro for almost two months.
Djokovic revealed he is "very glad" to have all of tennis' top players competing in this year's Miami Open at Crandon Tennis Park Center, especially his career rival Federer, who was forced to miss tournaments in Dubai, Rotterdam and Indian Wells due to knee surgery.
The 11-time Grand Slam winner admitted his gratefulness of having Federer back in competition, citing the Swiss as an "important player' in the sport.
"It's great to have Roger back," Novak said, reports the ATP's official website. "He hasn't played a couple of years in Miami."
"He had the injury after the Australian Open that prevented him from playing in Dubai and Indian Wells. But he's such an important player for our sport, everything that he has achieved in his life, his tennis career."
Federer was supposed to stage his comeback at the Indian Wells, but had to delay it until the Monte Carlo Rolex Masters in April. But after realizing there was no longer pain in his left knee a few weeks after the surgery, the 34-year-old decided to participate at the Miami Open, where he bids for third title.
"It sounds weird, but I kind of enjoyed the process of improving every day. I had a positive mindset," Federer said.
"Enjoyed everything about it... nothing to do other than rehabbing and spending time with the family. It was a really nice process. Never had any setbacks. That was very crucial that I'm here today."
The last time Djokovic and Federer met was in the semifinal round of the Australian Open in January, where Djokovic defeated the Swiss en route to an 11th major title.
Djokovic and Federer could meet once again in the semifinal round of the Miami Open, if both players get past their opponents in the earlier rounds.
Top seed Djokovic opens his campaign for a third-straight and fifth overall Miami Open title against Great Britain's Kyle Edmund, who defeated Jiri Vesely 6-4 5-7 7-6(6), while Federer, who enters the tournament as the third seed, plays Argentina's Juan Martin Del Potro in Round of 64.
