Why Djokovic’s still in funk

Battling tennis superstar reveals lack of confidence on court: ‘I’m trying to not give up’

Despite all of Novak Djokovic’s tennis success over the years — the 12 major championships, the career Grand Slam, the time ranked No 1 — he still finds himself searching for self-confidence these days.

That’s what an elbow injury and forced absence from the ATP tour can do to a player.

Djokovic was reflective and revealing yesterday after moving into the third round at the French Open by virtue of a self-described up-anddown performance in a 7-6 (1), 6-4, 6-4 victory over 155th-ranked Jaume Antoni Munar Clar of Spain. Both of Djokovic’s matches so far have been against qualifiers; neither win was particularly impressive.

“I’m not playing at the level I wish to, but at the same time, I understand that it is the process that obviously takes time,” said Djokovic, whose seeding of No 20 is his lowest at a slam in 12 years. “And I’m trying to not give up.”

At least he got through in straight sets, saving energy for whatever might come next at Roland Garros. Other leading men were forced to work a lot harder in matches they would have been expected to breeze through: No 2-seeded Alexander Zverev, No 4 Grigor Dimitrov and No 19 Kei Nishikori all faced two-setsto-one deficits and all emerged to win yesterday.

Among the women, No 1 Simona Halep shook off a slow start in a postponed first-round match to defeat Alison Riske of the US, 2-6, 6-1, 6-1, while second-round winners included reigning major champions Caroline Wozniacki and Sloane ● ● ●

Stephens, along with No 4 Elina Svitolina, No 8 Petra Kvitova and No 13 Madison Keys.

So perhaps the most meaningful