We have done well in Djokovic’s absence : Serbia’s Bozoljac

Bangalore, Serbia’s Illija Bozoljac today said that their team has the ability to perform well despite world No 1 Novak Djokovic’s absence in the upcoming Davis Cup World Group play-off tie against India to be played from September 12 to 14 at KSLTA stadium here.

“We were without Novak even in Belgrade and Novi Sad. We also been without some of our good players at times. Despite this, we have done well. Anyway, we have a good team. We are looking forward to the match,” Bozoljac, who will replace Djokovic in singles, said here after the practice session at the KSLTA.

The World No. 1 has pulled out of the Davis Cup tie against India owing to fatigue and family commitments.

Bozoljac, however, did not count out Indian team for giving them a fight, especially when Leander Paes has made himself available for the tie.

“If Leander Paes plays, then it will be tough. Every match is tough,” he said.

“But it doesn’t matter who is on the other side of the net, we have to do our best and believe in victory. That is what makes Davis Cup a special competition. We travel a lot and play in different conditions,” he added.

Bozoljac said the Indian players have weather and other sundry advantages in their favour, but his team-mates have enough time to prepare for the tie.

“It is part of the good tennis player how he adjusts to different conditions. You (Indian players) have advantage because you are used to the weather, time and everything else. We have enough time and hope to get as much preparations as we can,” he said.

Serbian captain Bogdan Obradovic said, had Djokovic played, the team would have been stronger but still the side boasts of good emerging players.

“We have a very confident team. With Novak, we would have been stronger, but still, you know we have players who are rising stars,” he said.

“We have two youngsters Dusan Lajovic and Filip Krajinovic. They have been doing well on the tours. They have played together for many years and know each other very well,” Obradovic said.

Lajovic, though he lost in the first round of the US Open, has experience in Davis Cup, Obradovic said.

Moreover, the side boasts of Bozoljac, who plays both singles and doubles, the Serbian captain said.

“Ilija Bozoljac is a good singles player, runs very well and has played some good matches,” he said.

Obradovic further said, “Bozoljac can also play doubles and that is good for our team.”

On Djokovic’s participation, Obradovic said he was very tired and wanted to take rest before making himself available for the last part of the season.

“He is very tired and wants to take rest – get ready for the last part of the season,” the Serbian non-playing captain said.

Also, Djokovic will not be available for personal reasons (his wife Jelena Ristic is pregnant with couple’s first child) and wants to stay No 1 player till the end of the season, Obradovic said.

“He wants to stay as No.1 till the end of the season. Also, there are personal reasons after he got married and wants to spend some time at home. That is normal part of life,” he said.

On team composition, Obradovic said a decision will be taken in this regard after watching the players for the next four days during practice sessions.

“We have four more days to go. We will see who is hitting the ball well and who is fitter, and then decide on the combination,” he said.