Djokovic enjoying his time off with friends and family

Novak Djokovic is taking full advantage of his extra free time after ending his season early. His last match of 2017 was a quarterfinal retirement against Tomas Berdych at Wimbledon.

"The whole thing about my tennis and what happened to me is more complex than a single word, although [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."

Djokovic got to be there for the birth of his daughter (his second child with wife Jelena).

And he has spent extra time with Jelena...

"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."

As much as fans are eager to see the Serb back on court, he's taking his time, and why not? The 30-year-old has been entrenched in training and competing for most of his life. He's far from the only top player to wrap up the season with an injury, as he's joined by Stan Wawrinka, Andy Murray, Kei Nishikori, Milos Raonic and Berdych.

Djokovic has been making time for physical training in both Serbia and Monte Carlo and plans to return in time for the Australian Open (with Andre Agassi by his side). He is also looking for another coach to add to his team.