Novak Djokovic is looking to follow Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal in making a successful comeback from injury, saying they have shown players can return to the top following a break from tour.
The Serb has been sidelined with an elbow injury since Wimbledon, and won just two titles since grabbing four straight majors at the 2016 French Open. He has said the injury had been increasingly bothering him since the first half of 2016.
"The whole thing about my tennis and what happened to me is more complex than a single word, although that the elbow] was the biggest problem," Djokovic [told Serbian newspaper *Novosti*. "I could not train like I wanted, could not play with full intensity, had to adjust my serving [motion].
"I did not want to take a break, I thought it would get better... but the problems were intensifying."
During his break, Djokovic has been doing physical training in Serbia and Monte Carlo. He and his wife, Jelena, had their second child, a daughter, a month and a half ago. The couple also has a three year old son.
"I have been spending time with friends and family, the small pleasures," he said. "When I wake up, I don't run to train, I play with the kids."
The 30-year-old plans to play again at the Australian Open, and is looking for another coach to help him alongside Andre Agassi. Djokovic said he had "several names," and was looking for someone "not No. 1," but "a former player who had an admirable career and got the best from himself at all times" and "whose values are in line with mine."
Saying he wants to be back at his best by mid-season, the former No. 1 is encouraged by the successful comebacks of Federer and Nadal this season.
"Federer and Nadal are unique, among the best players in the history of the sport—they have influenced me to become who I am," said Djokovic. "Their examples show that even if you have a break and a season when their games were not at their best, you can return to the top."