Novak Djokovic explains Indian Wells struggles: 'Ball was bouncing like on clay'

Novak Djokovic skilled an early Indian Wells loss for the second straight 12 months. The five-time champion confronted a fortunate loser Botic van de Zandschulp within the second spherical and suffered a 6-2, 3-6, 6-1 loss in two hours and one minute. 

Thus, the 24-time Main winner notched his third consecutive defeat and prolonged his poor run within the desert that has been on since 2017. Novak didn’t need to search excuses for his poor efficiency and a nasty day on the workplace. 

Nevertheless, he defined what made him uncomfortable on Stadium 1. Djokovic highlighted the distinction between the primary courtroom and the smaller ones. He additionally mirrored on the ball bounce that made him battle.

The very best moments from Botic van de Zandschulp’s 𝙞𝙣𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙙𝙞𝙗𝙡𝙚 upset in opposition to five-time champion Novak Djokovic in Indian Wells. 🎾#TennisParadise pic.twitter.com/CzUWbiGk23

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The legend completed the duel with 16 winners and 37 unforced errors, taking part in poorly in units one and three. He hit solely 13 service winners and didn’t match the rival’s tempo from the baseline. Novak performed in opposition to eight break factors and gave serve 5 occasions. 

Van de Zandschulp collected 21 factors greater than world no. 1 and made the distinction behind the second serve. The Dutchman landed 26 winners and 25 unforced errors, taming his strokes properly and having fun with the situations, not like the Serb. 

Botic served effectively within the opener and supplied a double break in 18 minutes. He closed the set with a maintain in recreation eight and earned an early increase. Novak raised his degree within the second set, offering two breaks and firing a forehand winner in recreation 9 for 6-3. 

As a substitute of constructing on that, the veteran misplaced the bottom once more within the decider. Van de Zandschulp rattled off 5 video games within the closing set, transferring excessive and incomes a notable victory. 

“There’s all the time one thing, however I don’t need to talk about that. There needs to be no excuses for poor efficiency. It doesn’t really feel nice to compete at this degree, however I’ve to congratulate my opponent. It was a nasty day on the workplace for me after working towards effectively as of late.

Truthfully, the distinction between the middle courtroom and the smaller ones is immense. The ball is bouncing larger than at many clay courts. It made me battle and saved me away from the specified rhythm,” Novak Djokovic stated.