Sunday 3 August 2014 09:28, UK
Novak Djokovic says he is ready to go 'back to business' after winning Wimbledon and getting married as he returns to the hardcourts of North America at the ATP Masters in Toronto.
The No 1 ranked Serb is in high spirits after winning his seventh Grand Slam title at the All England Club in July and then tying the knot with his long-term partner Jelena Ristic, who is expecting the couple's first child.
The 27-year-old, who has lifted the trophy three times in Canada, is now seeking another strong run to further separate himself atop the rankings from injured world No 2 Rafael Nadal.
But he faces a tricky task in his bid to regain the Toronto title after being handed a tough draw, including a possible meeting in Andy Murray in the quarter-finals.
I'm going back to the business, back to my office, but of course filled with positive energy, with joy, all the beautiful emotions that a person can experience right now.
"It's been probably the best month I've had in my life with the Wimbledon title, a wedding and of course a baby coming up," Djokovic said.
"I'm going back to the business, back to my office, but of course filled with positive energy, with joy, all the beautiful emotions that a person can experience right now.
"Hopefully I can use that to perform well on the tennis court."
Roger Federer will be returning to action for the first time since falling to Djokovic in a five-set final at Wimbledon and will be seeking his third title of 2014.
Seeded second, Federer - who won the tournament in Canada in 2004 and 2006 - turns 33 next Friday and is gearing up for a serious run in the event as he aims to land his first US Open trophy since 2008.
He will open against either Canadian wild card Peter Polansky or Poland's Jerzy Janowicz.
Federer is followed in the seedings by compatriot Stan Wawrinka, the Australian Open and Monte Carlo champion.
Acknowledging that his breakthrough season has taken something of a toll, Wawrinka skipped his home claycourt tournament at Gstaad last month, saying he needed both a mental and physical break.
"I need to be ready for the last few months of the season," said Wawrinka. "It's a long series and it will be tough for sure," he said of the hardcourt build-up to Flushing Meadows.
"It will be another big challenge," added Wawrinka, whose best Canadian showing was a quarter-final appearance three years ago. "I'm trying to be fit and to do everything possible not to be injured."
The top eight seeds all have first-round byes, with Djokovic set to open his campaign against either Czech Radek Stepanek or Frenchman Gael Monfils.
British No 1 and eighth seed Murray could face a potential first-round date with Australian Nick Kyrgios, who stunned Nadal in the fourth round at Wimbledon.
The 19-year-old from Canberra faces Santiago Giraldo in the first round with the winner to play Murray.
