ROME, Italy—Novak Djokovic has only played three tournaments in 2024. As he prepares to play a fourth at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia, it becomes quickly apparent that the world No. 1 wouldn’t have had it any other way.

“It was not part of the schedule,” Djokovic smiled when asked about his absence from the Mutua Madrid Open. “The plan was to come here.”

That plan has certainly been successful in the past for the six-time champion, though the fact that Djokovic has gone through the first four months of the season without winning a title is unusual—especially for a player used to starting the year with a major victory at the Australian Open.

But rather than rush for hardware, Djokovic has employed an approach that favors peaking at the most important tournaments on the schedule, which, for a 24-time major champion, can only include Grand Slams and the Olympic Games.

“I had plenty of time to also rest and train. Had a good training block. I arrived here two days ago to get a hit on the center court, as well, obviously stayed four or five days training before my first match with top players.