Australian Open | Novak Djokovic : On a given day, you can lose
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Novak Djokovic put down his surprise second-round defeat to Uzbek wild card Denis Istomin in the Australian Open to bad day at the office. It was the earliest grand slam exit in nearly a decade for the Serbian world No 2 and defending champion, who went down in five sets in just under five hours.
The six-time Australian Open champion appeared a pale shadow of his former self as he lost 7-6(8), 5-7, 2-6, 7-6(5), 6-4 to
āThere was intensity, of course. We played four-and-a-half hours. It's just that, you know, it's one of these days when you don't feel that great on the court, don't have much rhythm, and the player you're playing against is feeling the ball very well,ā Djokovic told a post-match news conference.
āSo, you know, that's sport. I started the season very well. Again, it's a tennis match. On a given day, you can lose. I mean, nothing is impossible.ā
Djokovic
After winning his maiden French Open title last year to complete a rare career grand slam, Djokovic was nowhere close to his unbeatable self and was dethroned as No 1 by Andy Murray at the end of 2016, raising doubts over his hunger and mental strength.
"Of course, four-and-a-half hours is not easy on the body. But still, I don't think that has affected neither me or my opponentā¦ At the moment I just want to go home, spend time with my family, and that's allā¦ Of course. I'm not used to losing in Australian Open second round. I've always played so well,ā he said.
āDenis, surely he was an underdog, but he didnāt show any nerves in the big moments. He didnāt play that many big matches, but just everything came together. It was the right moment for him, the right day. He was better.
āAll the credit to Denis for playing amazing. He deserved to win. No doubt, he was a better player in the clutch moments.He stepped it up, played
