Djokovic admits to “not great season” but focused on bigger picture

We are so used to Novak Djokovic mopping up titles around the world every year – especially in the first few months of each year – that it’s odd to see him leave Monte-Carlo still title-less in 2024.

It’s only happened twice since he won his first Grand Slam title that he’s not won at least one title in the first four months of the season, in 2018 and 2022. In 2018, he put it right at Wimbledon while in 2022, he righted the ship as soon as Rome. In fact it’s only happened three times in his career, the other being 2006.

Djokovic showed plenty of encouraging signs in Monte-Carlo but after losing to Casper Ruud in the semi-finals on Saturday, having recovered a break to be 4-4 in the third, he was understandably gutted and admitted that it had not been a good start to the season, at least by his lofty standards.

“I’m used to really high standard in terms of expectations of the results, so not having a title is, maybe comparing to the last 15 years, not a great season at all,” he said. “But I had semis of Australia, semis here. I only played three tournaments this year, so of course, you know, it’s normal to expect that you have some seasons where you don’t start well, and this is the one.

“Hopefully, yeah, I can pick up, in terms of results, I can build from here, because, you know, I played some good tennis. Hopefully in the next tournaments I’ll be able to play even better.”

Unforced errors cost Djokovic in the clutch

The world No 1, who turns 37 next month, looked like he would turn his semi-final with Ruud around, having levelled at 4-4 in the third, with momentum on his side. But Ruud held firm and Djokovic double-faulted to lose the match, handing Ruud his first win over Djokovic.

“Of course I’m disappointed, you know, to lose a match like this,” he said. “Was close one.

“Congratulations to Casper. He played really good, especially in the beginning of the first and third, as well. I had my chances, but yeah, last game was not great. Unforced errors and just he was solid I think until the last shot and deserved to win.

“My game was kind of up and down. I mean, the positive thing is that I kind of managed to come back after losing the first set and really find the strength in the game. So there are positives to take away from this tournament, for sure, but of course disappointed with the loss.”

Grand Slams and Olympics the big focus

Djokovic’s next assignments are in Madrid and Rome, for the back to back Masters 1000 events, but it’s clear that his priorities are centred on the biggest titles of all, the Grand Slams, and in 2024, the Olympics.

The Serb needs one more slam title to take the all-time record for himself – he shares it currently with Margaret Court on 24 – and he would dearly love to win a first Olympic gold in Paris.

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