Novak Djokovic has responded to his current hunch in kind by withdrawing from subsequent week’s Italian Open.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion is on a three-match dropping streak, his newest setback coming with a shock exit from the Madrid Open by the hands of Matteo Arnaldi.
Tournament organizers introduced on social media that Djokovic wouldn’t be enjoying within the Italian capital, with the Serbian writing on Instagram: “Rome, I will miss you. I hope we meet next year.”
After the defeat by Arnaldi, the 37-year-old Djokovic mentioned he needed to adapt to a “new reality,” including: “Trying to win a match or two, not really thinking about getting far in the tournament – it’s a completely different feeling from what I had in 20-plus years of professional tennis.”
The Italian Open, which begins May 7, is the final main ATP Tour occasion earlier than the French Open and is a match Djokovic has received six instances.
But he faces arriving at Roland Garros with out having received a match on clay since his emotional victory over Carlos Alcaraz final 12 months within the Olympic last in Paris.
Djokovic has performed a fuller schedule than final season, when his bid for a record-breaking twenty fifth Slam title fell quick, nevertheless it has not helped him discover constant kind. The world No. 5 has misplaced his opening match in 4 of his final 5 tournaments.
“Grand Slams is where I really want to play the best tennis,” he mentioned. “I’m unsure if I’ll be capable to do this in Roland Garros, however I’ll do my finest.
“I’m not going into Roland Garros as one of the main favorites. Maybe that can help, I don’t know. We’ll see.”
Source: www.dailysabah.com