Novak says he’s in reload mode
Djokovic hints he might need a break after stunning quarterfinal departure
PARIS — Novak Djokovic says he still has the hunger to regain his status as the best player in the world — but he’s not ruling out taking a break from tennis.
The 30-year-old Serb crashed out of the French Open on Wednesday in a stunning 7-6 (5), 6-3, 6-0 quarterfinal loss to Dominic Thiem.
Djokovic, who was trying to win his second straight title at Roland Garros, hinted he might step back to regroup ahead of Wimbledon.
“I’m thinking about many things, especially in the past couple months,” he said.
“At the same time, I have a responsibility to the game itself, towards others. We’ll see.
“Obviously, it’s not an easy decision to make, but I will see how I feel in a few days and then decide what to do next.”
The loss was Djokovic’s first in straight sets at a major in four years, just 12 months after he completed a career grand slam in Paris.
At that time he also held all four majors and became the first man to top $100 million in career prize money.
Wednesday saw him drop his first 6-0 ‘bagel’ at a Slam since the 2005 US Open, while the loss will see him slip out of the world’s top two for the first time in six years.
“All the top players go through this. I have to get through it and learn the lessons and come back stronger. It’s a big challenge but I am up for it,” said Djokovic.
“I always expect a lot from myself. I am not playing anywhere close to my best, and I know that.
“But I’m trying to work on things. It’s a whole new situation that I am facing by not winning any big tournaments in the last seven or eight months.”
After Djokovic defeated Andy Murray in the Roland Garros final last year, he was knocked out of Wimbledon in the third round.
At the time, he hinted at issues in his private life before a runner-up finish at the US Open suggested his Wimbledon defeat was just a temporary blip.
However, a second-round loss at the Australian Open to world No 117 Denis Istomin in January conjured up more doubts.
His only title so far this year came in Qatar.
At the Masters, he lost in the fourth round at Indian Wells, made the quarters at Monte Carlo and the semifinals in Madrid before being swept aside by Alexander Zverev in the Rome final.
Next chapter?
Djokovic’s loss to Thiem, who he defeated in Rome as well as in the semifinals in Paris last year, was his first in six meetings with the young Austrian.
The result robbed the tournament of an anticipated semifinal showdown against nine-time Nadal.
“I know I have achieved the biggest heights in the sport. I have the belief that I can reach them again,” said Djokovic, who arrived in Paris with Andre Agassi as his new coach.
The wasn’t champion American on hand to Rafael legend witness Wednesday’s painful exit, and the Serb said it is too early to consider his partnership with Agassi a success or failure.
“Hisimpactwilltaketime;it won’t happen in the first week. We only spent seven days together, so we will see where it takes us,” Djokovic said.
He also complimented Thiem on his win.
“Dominic deserved to win. He was definitely the better player on the court today,” said the 30-year-old, who had two set points in the 10th game of the opening set.
The final set lasted just 20 minutes, during which Djokovic managed only eight points.
It was only the ninth match of his career in which he failed to post a win on the scoreboard.
“It’s the next chapter for me. So now I’m just figuring it all out, and obviously there are things to think about and to work on, and we’ll see where it takes me,” he said.
after coming back from a set and 5-1 down, saving a match point, to beat Elina Svitolina
“You expect me to cry? Life continues.”