By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Monday, March 11, 2024
Traditionally, Novak Djokovic begins seasons producing peak performances.
Returning to the BNP Paribas Open for the primary time in 5 years, the five-time Indian Wells champion fell flat in a shocking upset.
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Lucky loser Luca Nardi scored the most important win of his profession stunning world No. 1 Djokovic 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 on Monday night time.
The 123rd-ranked Italian is the lowest-ranked participant to ever defeat Grand Slam king Djokovic at a Masters 1000 or Grand Slam match.
Ten-time Australian Open champion Djokovic credited Nardi for a well-deserved win, however referred to as out his personal “poor performance.”
Asked if this upset was a operate of his lack of match play or the very fact he has not competed within the desert circumstances in 5 years, Djokovic mentioned it might be a mixture of each components.
“I’m going to obviously analyze what was done, what could have been done better, and then move on,” Djokovic mentioned. “I do play fewer tournaments, so I’m more selective with my schedule. So of course it’s not great feeling when you, you know, drop out very early in the tournament, and especially here, I haven’t played five years. I really wanted to do well.
“But wasn’t meant to be. We transfer on.”
“I may have finished every thing totally different. I imply, as I mentioned, very poor efficiency from my aspect,” Djokovic said. “Yeah, no titles this 12 months. That’s not one thing I’m used to. I used to be beginning the season most of my profession with a Grand Slam win or, you recognize, Dubai win, or any or match.
“It’s fine. You know, it’s part of the sport. You just have to accept it. Some you win; some you lose. Hopefully I’ll win some more and still keep going.”
The high seed’s defeat got here hours after fellow former No. 1 Naomi Osaka fell to Elise Mertens on Stadium Court. In Osaka’s case, she typically arrange the pivotal factors, however incessantly misfired on the ending forehand.
In the ultimate set of Djokovic’s loss to Nardi, the world No. 1 typically wasn’t even getting a shot on the ending strike as a result of Nardi was repeatedly beating him to the punch.
Now, six-time Miami Open champion Djokovic suggests he’ll transfer on to the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, an occasion he final received in 2016.
“Yeah, for the moment, Miami is there, so let’s see,” Djokovic mentioned. “Let’s see, obviously 10 minutes ago I was on the court, so I’m still hot-headed a bit. I need to take a day or two and then see what I want to do next.”
The US Open champion’s high precedence is stacking some wins collectively.
“I guess every trophy that eventually comes my way is going to be great,” Djokovic mentioned with a smile. “Obviously to break the kind of negative cycle a little bit I’m having in the last three, four tournaments where I haven’t really been close to my best.”
Photo credit score: Matthew Calvis
Source: www.tennisnow.com