‘I’m worried’, admits Djokovic as French Open build-up suffers new setback

AFP | Geneva

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

World number one Novak Djokovic admitted he was “worried” about his French Open title defence after falling to 44th-ranked Czech Tomas Machac in the Geneva semi-finals yesterday.

Djokovic went down to a 6-4, 0-6, 6-1 loss having taken a late wildcard into the Swiss claycourt tournament in a bid to reverse an alarming dip in form ahead of Roland Garros where the 24-time Grand Slam champion has won three times. “Of course I’m worried.

I haven’t been playing good at all this year,” said 37-year-old Djokovic. “I’ve had some good matches here and there but it is what it is. You have to accept it.

I don’t consider myself a favourite there. I’m going to take it match by match and see how far I can go.” The Serb will head to Roland Garros where he faces Frenchman Pierre-Hugues Herbert in the first round having won no titles this year, his first such dry spell since 2018.

Djokovic, bidding to reach his first final of the season, received a medical timeout at the end of the first set and revealed he had been suffering a stomach complaint.

“It was a terrible feeling with stomach and health today -- it was not a great night and today as well,” said Djokovic. “But I don’t want to take anything away from his win, he deserved it.

I don’t know what to think about this match to be honest.

I want to forget about it and move on to Paris.” While in Geneva, Djokovic became only the third man after Jimmy Connors and Roger Federer to rack up 1,100 tour wins.