Patient Djokovic ready for claycourt season

By Julien Pretot

MONTE CARLO (Reuters) - Serb Novak Djokovic said on Sunday he was better prepared than last year going into the claycourt season, which he will start at the Monte Carlo Masters Series.

The world number three, who claimed his maiden grand slam tournament at this year's Australian Open, said he had gained the patience needed for sometimes exhausting matches on the slow surface.

"I think I am stronger than last year because I am more confident. I have won a grand slam, even though it was not on clay," Djokovic told reporters.

"These past months, my form has been going up, except for Miami. I have been playing at a high level."

Djokovic, 20, will face either three-times French Open champion Gustavo Kuerten or Croatia's Ivan Ljubicic in the second round after being awarded a bye for the first round.

He said his second-round exit at the hands of South African Kevin Anderson at the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami last month might have been beneficial.

"I've had more days to recover and work on things I never had time to work on. I've had more time to prepare for the clay season," he said.

"The approach of matches on this surface is ... different. If you change your game too much, it can turn against you."