DJOK’S LOST THE PLOT!
Novak crashes out ... and Boris gives him a volley
NOVAK DJOKOVIC was accused by former coach Boris Becker of showing a lack of fight as he crashed to a sensational defeat in the Australian Open second round yesterday. The six-time champion was beaten 7-6, 5-7, 2-6, 7-6, 6-4 by bespectacled world No 117 Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan, who needed to win a wildcard play-off to make the draw. Becker, who parted company with the 29-year-old Serb last month, felt his former charge was too timid. ‘I’m really shocked that Novak lost,’ said the German legend. ‘I thought he was playing much too defensive and never really took the initiative and never really fought for it. ‘I absolutely never expected him to have trouble with Istomin. No disrespect
but Novak is a six-time Australian Open champion. I could tell in the first set he was way too defensive and way too passive.’ Becker fears the defeat could impact on Djokovic’s entire season, adding on Eurosport: ‘This is a new situation for him. The Australian Open was always the foundation of the year. You leave Australia with the title and the 2,000 points and the year plays much easier. ‘I think his team has to stick together. They need to find a cure for this situation.’ Djokovic accepted that other players now see him as more vulnerable. ‘They wouldn’t be playing against me or any other opponent if they didn’t believe that they could win,’ he said. ‘No doubt, Istomin was a better player in the clutch moments. Sure, he was an underdog, but he didn’t show any nerves in the big moments.’ Djokovic’s exit was his earliest at a major since Wimbledon 2008 and the former world No 1 said he does not know what his future holds, saying: ‘At the moment I just want to go home, spend time with my family and that’s all.’ Istomin was wearing glasses because he finds contact lenses uncomfortable. Asked what his reaction would have been last week to yesterday’s outcome, he said: ‘Are you crazy? Especially in five sets. For me, it was impossible to think I can hold it for five sets with Novak, physically and mentally.’