Novak Djokovic says he's eager for more match play.
He'll get it in Barcelona next week.
Watch: Djokovic Extends Coaching Agreement with Vajda
Djokovic has received a wild card into next week's Barcelona Open.
The 12-time Grand Slam champion joins world No. 1 Rafael Nadal, Nitto ATP Finals champion Grigor Dimitrov, two-time Roland Garros semifinalist Dominic Thiem and David Goffin in a loaded field for the AP 500-level clay-court event.
The 30-year-old Djokovic, who underwent a "small medical intervention" on his cranky right elbow in February, has made adjustments to his Head racquet and worked to streamline his service motion in an effort to reduce stress on his elbow.
Djokovic defeated Dusan Lajovic and Borna Coric before bowing to Dominic Thiem in the Monte-Carlo round of 16 yesterday. The 13th-ranked Serbian carries a 5-4 record into Barcelona and is practicing patience aiming to peak for Paris.
"Ideally I'd want to be playing the way I played for so many years. But obviously patience is required, trust in the process, believing in myself, in my game, people around me," Djokovic said. "I really believe that if I continue doing what I'm doing so far, believing in myself, I know eventually I'm going to get there. I'm going to get there.
"I've played some great tennis in the last couple matches. Still some ups and downs. But every match here in Monte-Carlo had some periods of brilliance and the tennis that I really enjoyed, I wanted to play. That obviously gives me a lot of positive energy for what's coming up."
Photo credit: Christopher Levy