Djokovic nangakong maglalaro sa Miami pagkatapos mabigo sa Indian Wells
Heading for the exit: Novak Djokovic leaves the court after his shock third round defeat at Indian Wells on Monday © MATTHEW STOCKMAN / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP
Nangako si Novak Djokovic na maglalaro sa paparating na Miami Open, makaraang isisi ang nakagugulat niyang pagkatalo sa ATP-WTA Indian Wells Masters nitong Lunes, sa aniya’y “really bad day.”
Ang matagal nang hinihintay na pagbabalik sa Indian Wells ng world number one Serbian makaraan ang limang taong hindi paglalaro, ay natapos sa isang nakagugulat na pagkabigo sa third round laban sa lowly-ranked Italian na si Luca Nardi, na world No. 123.
Sinabi ni Djokovic, na sa kabila nito ay plano pa rin niyang maglaro sa Miami.
Aniya, “Miami is there, so let’s see. I wasn’t enjoying not playing the Sunshine Double (Indian Wells and Miami) last couple of years. I really wanted to play.”
Dagdag pa ni Djokovic pagkatpos ng kaniyang 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 defeat, “I really wanted to come (this year) and I really enjoy being both in Indian Wells and Miami.”
Ang paglalaro nitong Lunes ng five-time Indian Wells winner na si Djokovic, ang una niyang event makaraang matalo sa Italian young gun na si Jannik Sinner sa Australian Open semi-finals mahigit anim na linggo na ang nakalilipas.
Tungkol naman kay Nardi ay sinabi ng 24-time Grand Slam champion, “He got in as a lucky loser to the main draw, so he really didn’t have anything to lose – so he played great.”
Ayon pa kay Djokovic, “He deserved to win. I was more surprised with my level. My level was really, really bad. That’s it, these two things come together. He’s having a great day; I’m having a really bad day. Results (are) a negative outcome for me.”
Sinisikap ng 36-anyos na si Djokovic, na pag-isahin ang kaniyang tournament schedule, at sinabing magpapatuloy siya sa Miami simula sa susunod na linggo.
Sinabi niya, “I do play fewer tournaments, so I’m more selective with my schedule. Of course it’s not a great feeling when you drop out very early in the tournament, and especially here. I haven’t played (here)in five years. I really wanted to do well. But it wasn’t meant to be. We move on.”
