Rivals now have more belief, Djokovic admits after shock loss
Melbourne — Fallen Grand-Slam king Novak Djokovic admitted opponents now believed he was more vulnerable following his stunning second-round exit from the Australian Open The six-time winner and 12-time Grand Slam champion crashed out to unheralded Denis Istomin in five sets on Thursday, in the world number two’s earliest exit from a major since Wimbledon 2008. Djokovic’s stuttering start to the new season comes after he lost the world number one ranking in November — which he had held for 122 weeks — to Britain’s Andy Murray. He denied there was any hangover lingering from his breakthrough French Open victory at Roland Garros last June, and the underwhelming second half of last season. "I don’t know. I didn’t reflect on that at all. I started a new season, a new year, as everybody else. I forgot about it, in a way. It’s not affecting me," he said. Djokovic added: "I started the season very well. Again, it’s a tennis match. On a given day, you can lose. I mean, nothing is impossible...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.