Andy Murray has backed Novak Djokovic to produce a strong finish to 2016 after winning just one tournament since the French Open.
The world number one has also suffered with niggling injuries during the same time period and he finds his position as the sport's best player under threat from Murray at this week's Paris Masters.
However, Murray has suggested that it was "normal" for Djokovic's form to falter after a sustained period of competing at the highest level.
The 29-year-old told Sky Sports News: "The better you get, the more stressful it becomes. It sounds silly but that is how it feels to us.
"After what Novak has done over the past two years, I can only imagine how difficult and stressful it would have been for him winning all four Grand Slams in a row. It's an incredible effort and pretty much every other tournament he was in, he was reaching the final.
"It's been a tough couple of years for him and I think it's normal for him to have had a bit of a lull for a couple of months but I am sure that he will come back strong."
Djokovic will lose his spot at the top of the ATP world rankings should he only reach the semi-finals in Paris and Murray manages to win the tournament.
Darren Plant
