Novak Djokovic: "I have a lot of work to do"
Novak Djokovic suffered unexpected defeats in his two tournament appearances on clay this year. Not least because of this, the world number one is aware that there is still a lot of work waiting for him before the second Grand Slam tournament of the year in Paris.
by Nikolaus Fink
last edit: Apr 25, 2021, 08:36 am
Novak Djokovic is a man for the really big tournaments. Therefore, the two surprising defeats against Dan Evans and Aslan Karatsev in Monte Carlo and Belgrade should not be overestimated. But Novak Djokovic is also - one could experience this again and again at Davis Cup matches or the Olympic Games - a thoroughly proud Serb.
The defeat against Karatsev allows one or the other more serious conclusion about the current constitution of the world number one. While Djokovic had dismissed the defeat in Monte Carlo as one of his worst achievements in the recent past, it became clear in his hometown that the 33-year-old is currently missing basic things.
Djokovic physically not up to par
Djokovic served poorly, returned anything but good for his standards and his basic strokes were not just short of length. Even in terms of physique and coolness - two aspects that the industry leader can actually always rely on, even on bad days - Karatsev was superior to him.
#VIDEO#
He broke in in the third set and felt dizzy, Djokovic said after the game. But that is only part of the answer, why he could only use five of his 28 break opportunities. "Karatsev was very brave, braver than me. He found the blows when he was looking for and needed them," said the Serb.
Djokovic leaves the start in Madrid open
Despite the "painful and disappointing" defeat, Djokovic does not want to bury his head in the sand before one of his major goals of the season, the French Open. But the 18-time Grand Slam winner is also aware of one thing: "Of course I have to get better and play better if I want to have a chance for the title at Roland Garros. I have to play a lot better than today or in Monte Carlo. It. It." there is a lot of work ahead of me. "
However, he left it open whether the world number one would like to reap the fruits of his work at the ATP Masters 1000 tournament in Madrid, which begins on May 2nd. "I don't know," replied Djokovic when asked if he would play in the Spanish capital. "I'm tired of making plans, to be honest. The main focus is still on the Grand Slams."
Here the single tableau in Belgrade