Djokovic insists he’s not in freefall
UPSET: THIEM SENDS DEFENDING CHAMPION PACKING
Serbian pondering a break amid massive slump which will see him drop out of the world’s top two.
Novak Djokovic insisted yesterday he still has the hunger to regain his status as the best player in the world, but did not rule out taking a break from the sport.
The 30-year-old Serb crashed out of the French Open where he was the defending champion in a stunning 7-6 (7/5), 6-3, 6-0 quarterfinal loss to Dominic Thiem.
Djokovic hinted he may step back from the sport to regroup even with Wimbledon fast approaching.
“Trust me, I’m thinking about many things, especially in the last couple months,” he said. “At the same time, I have 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 after Roland Garros and then decide what to do next.”
The defeat was Djokovic’s first straight-sets loss at a major in four years and comes just 12 months after he completed the career Grand Slam in Paris. He then also held all four majors and became the first man to break the $100 million prize money barrier.
Yesterday saw him suffer a first 6-0 ‘‘bagel’’ at a Slam since the 2005 US Open, while the defeat 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,” said Djokovic.
The result robbed the tournament of a mouth-watering semifinal match-up against nine-time champion Rafael Nadal. Nadal qualified for the semifinals for the 10th time yesterday after compatriot Pablo Carreno Busta retired with injury while trailing 6-2, 2-0.
“I know I have achieved the biggest heights in the sport. I have the belief that I can reach them again,” added Djokovic.
Djokovic arrived in Paris with Andre Agassi as his new coach but the American legend wasn’t on hand to witness yesterday’s painful exit. – AFP