Novak Djokovic has admitted that his preparation for Roland Garros hasn’t been ideal after his opening round defeat in Rome to Dino Prizmic.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion lost in his opening round match to the Croat 2-6 6-2 6-4 in a blow to his Roland Garros bid.
This was Djokovic’s first clay court tournament this season and his first tournament since his fourth round exit to Jack Draper at Indian Wells.
There has been some health issues for Djokovic heading into Rome and the Serb admits this is a new reality he has to face, “Yes, it’s not an ideal preparation, to be honest,” Djokovic said in his press conference about his road to Roland Garros.
“I don’t recall last time I had in the last couple years a preparation where I didn’t have any kind of physical issues or health issues coming into the tournament. There’s always something. Kind of a new reality that I have to deal with. Yeah, it is frustrating. At the same time it’s my decision to still perform in that kind of state and conditions. It is what it is.”
Despite it being clear Djokovic isn’t fully healthy, the Serb wasn’t drawn in on his health problems as he gave credit to Prizmic for the win, “I hope you understand I will not talk about that. I want to congratulate Dino,” Djokovic stated.
“Deservedly the winner today. Yeah, came in to have a match or more. Unfortunately only a match. It’s all right. I’m pleased at least that I fought till the end. I want to thank the crowd. It was incredible once again.
“I mean, the support and love that I’ve been getting, it’s something I don’t take for granted.”
After years of success and triumphs a new reality is that these early losses are common for Djokovic at non-slam events.
The Serb reflected on his defeat to Prizmic and gave perspective on his career, “I mean, it was okay. I didn’t play so bad. I don’t think I played so bad, to be honest,” Djokovic stated.
“Okay, the second set was something to forget obviously the way I felt on the court. But the first and third was good. It was okay. It was a good battle in the end. Obviously I see what I’m missing. Late half a step. I’m not definitely where I want to be for the highest level and to compete at the highest level and to be able to get far.
“Eventually you have to play. You have to start somewhere. I wanted to start earlier, but I couldn’t. So yeah, that’s what it is. The situation is as it is. You just adapt to it and make the most out of it. I train hard. I train as much as the body allows me to. Then how it turns out on the court, that’s really unpredictable.”
Djokovic revealed in his press conference that he will not play Geneva like he did last year so his next tournament will be at Roland Garros which starts on the 24th of May.
