

By Richard Pagliaro | Friday, August 26, 2016

"I definitely rank this season as one of the best I've had in my career. I don't feel like (the injury) has shaken me too much," says Novak Djokovic ahead of his US Open title defense.



Photo credit: Mark Peterson/Corleve

NEW YORK—Prowling the baseline, Novak Djokovic is a master of robbing reaction time from opponents.



The champion who uses time as a tool of punishment hopes it can help him heal.



Recovery time could be a key component to Djokovic's US Open title defense.



Watch: Top 5 Reasons Djokovic Will Break Federer's Slam Record



The world No. 1 said today his cranky left wrist that pained him in his Olympic opening-round loss to Juan Martin del Potro and forced him out of Cincinnati last week is not completely healed.



"The wrist hasn't been in ideal state for last three-and-a-half weeks," Djokovic told the media after today's US Open draw ceremony. "I'm doing everything in my power to make sure I'm as close to 100 percent as possible during the course of this tournament—at least for beginning."



Asked the exact medical term for his injury, Djokovic joked "wrist injury" and said he sustained it during practice for the Rio Olympics.



Despite the aches and pains, the 29-year-old Serbian says his confidence is still brimming after reaching six of the last seven Grand Slam finals.



"Confidence level is high," Djokovic said. "I guess the fact for the last couple of years I've played at a high consistently level and other than that loss in Olympic Games and Wimbledon, I've had a phenomenal season.



"I definitely rank this season as one of the best I've had in my career. I don't feel like it has shaken me too much. I just hope to be healthy and to be able to play the way I wish to play in the US Open. That's why I'm here. Let's see how tournament goes."





When the No. 1 player in the world stops to take a #selfie 👍🤗👏 #usopen (📸: @pstaples1 ) A photo posted by @usopen on Aug 24, 2016 at 4:37pm PDT