Djokovic hopeful of Davis Cup despite eye problem

Novak Djokovic of Serbia raises his arms in celebration after defeating Quentin Halys of France in their second round match at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2016.(AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

World number one Novak Djokovic is optimistic he will be fit to lead Serbia’s Davis Cup team against Kazakhstan this weekend despite fearing an eye problem would sideline him for the first round clash.

Djokovic saw his run of 17 successive finals come to an end in Dubai last week when he was forced to retire from his quarter-final against Feliciano Lopez with an eye infection.

But having trained at Belgrade’s Pionir Hall venue, the 28-year-old said he was ready to play.

“I am optimistic and I hope that I am going to play,” said the 11-time major winner, whose loss to Lopez was the first time he had failed to reach a final since January 2015.

“I was a little skeptical but now all is going well. I have already had two training sessions to adapt to the indoor conditions.”

Djokovic led Serbia to the 2010 Davis Cup title.