Recovering from right elbow surgery in February prompted Novak Djokovic to alter the weight and balance of his Head racquet.
The former world No. 1 says getting his head right is the real key to his comeback.
Watch: Djokovic's Worst Shot of Season
Djokovic, who concedes his confidence eroded following his first three-match losing streak in 11 years, says mastering those mind games is essential for a bounce-back month on clay.
"It's not easy," Djokovic told the media in Madrid after defeating Kei Nishikori in his opener. "At times, you know, you start to question because I achieved a lot in this sport. Then when you have to kind of start over again, start finding inspirations and ways and stuff like this to keep on going, it's tricky. The mind plays games with you. You have to kind of dig deep.
"That's what we are supposed to do if we want to get to a better place always, as people and as professional athletes. It's a beautiful process."
The 12-time Grand Slam champion will be put to the stress test this month.
Djokovic is defending 360 ranking points this week in Madrid, 600 ranking points in Rome next week and 360 ranking points at Roland Garros where he reached the quarterfinals last year.
"Some things that I haven't faced, haven't experienced for a long, long time," Djokovic said. "I mean, I was very fortunate throughout my career to go in kind of an upward direction always with my results and with my success. Ever since I got to top 10, for a decade I didn't go out from top 10... These are the circumstances that I'm facing at the moment. I'm trying to get the best out of them.
"But that's life. Life is there to test us, to allow us to understand that we can get the best out of all situations, to grow and to be the best versions of ourselves. That's how I approach it. That's how I see it."
Photo credit: Mutua Madrid Open Facebook