U.S. Open champion Novak Djokovic returned to Belgrade from New York on Thursday, but said he was still unsure whether he will play the opening singles match in the Davis Cup semifinals against David Nalbandian of Argentina.
"For now, I will play, but the definite decision will be made tomorrow," Djokovic was quoted as saying by the official Serbian Tanjug news agency. "I am happy to be back and to be able to play in the Davis Cup."
"It is no secret that I am tired," Djokovic added. "But I love to play for my country."
In Friday's other singles match, Janko Tipsarevic will face Juan Martin del Potro. In Saturday's doubles, Janko Tipsarevic and Nenad Zimonjic will take on Juan Monaco and Juan Ignacio Chela.
Djokovic led Serbia to its first Davis Cup title last year. The country made its debut in the competition in 1995, competing as Yugoslavia from 1995-2003, and as Serbia and Montenegro from 2004-06.
Serbia captain Bogdan Obradovic also said Djokovic still needs to assess his condition.
"Novak does not even need training here, just that half an hour before the match," Obradovic said. "So huge is his confidence, we can all feel that."
Djokovic said that "the situation is similar as last year, but our title has given me a lot of energy."
Last year, Djokovic pulled out of the opening match of the semifinals against the Czech Republic because he needed rest after the U.S. Open, where he lost to Rafael Nadal in the final. Viktor Troicki was a late replacement for Serbia on the opening day, while Djokovic played the reverse singles.
If Djokovic pulls out on Friday, his likely replacement once again would be 16-ranked Troicki, who said he was ready to step in.
"We will see how he will feel and whether he will be ready," Troicki said. "If he is not ready, I am."
Djokovic beat Rafael Nadal on Monday in four sets to win his third Grand Slam title this year. He also won Wimbledon and the Australian Open, but lost in the French Open semifinals.
Argentina captain Tito Vazquez said he does not plan to make any changes prior to the matches.
"We have come here to win," Vazquez said. "It will be very hard, but we are ready."
Del Potro, who will face Djokovic in reverse singles on Sunday, said he was ready.
"I've never beaten him. It will be hard," the 2009 U.S. Open champion said. "But I will do all I can."
Serbia made it to the Davis Cup semifinals after beating Sweden, while Argentina defeated Kazakhstan. Spain and France are also in the semifinals, and Nadal is scheduled to open against Richard Gasquet at home in Cordoba.
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