Novak Djokovic encouraged by Andy Murray’s performance in training

Novak Djokovic gave an encouraging assessment of Andy Murray’s prospects for his latest comeback after practising with the Scot in Rome.

Murray has travelled to the Italian capital to test himself against some of the world’s best players in training ahead of a likely competitive return in Lyon or Geneva next week.

The three-time grand slam champion has not played a match since the ATP tournament in Rotterdam in early March after picking up a groin injury in his sleep ahead of the Miami Open.

After hitting with Diego Schwartzman on Sunday, Murray had a practice session with world number one Djokovic at the Foro Italico on Monday. Djokovic, who is a week younger than Murray and has been a rival since their junior days, said: “I was very happy to see him. I haven’t seen him in a while, and it was great to hit with him.

“I thought he played very well on the court. He moves well considering it’s clay, which is not the best surface for his hips. “But, considering what he has been through lately, I think it seems like he’s been feeling well on the court. That’s what he’s saying, and that’s what it appears on the court itself.

“We had a nice chat and had a few laughs on the court as well. It was just great. It brought back the old times when we spent a lot of time on the court together, whether it was training or playing against each other.”

Djokovic skipped the Madrid Open last week and will hope to find his feet on the clay at the Italian Open after shock defeats to Britain’s Dan Evans in Monte-Carlo and Aslan Karatsev on home soil in Belgrade.