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Novak Djokovic Roland Garros 2020
ATP Tennis Players, Novak Djokovic, Tennis News

‘I have to wonder why I lost,’ says Novak Djokovic after Belgrade exit


Novak Djokovic says he only ever gets angry with himself after a defeat, although he is ‘why he lost’ for the second time in ten days. 

Djokovic lost out to Aslan Karatsev in the semi-final of the Serbia Open on Saturday, and cut a frustrated figure throughout on court.

Afterwards, though, he gave the Russian a thumbs up gesture on court, and later said he was more than happy to congratulate him – although he does have some thinking do do about his own game after a second surprise defeat in little over a week.

“When I lose, I can only be angry with myself, not with the opponent,” Novak Djokovic said after the match. “He was better.

“I feel it’s okay to congratulate at the end of the match, I shake hands, especially after today’s match. That’s why I made that gesture with my thumb, he deserved it.

“He scored when he should have. I have to wonder why I lost, but whoever won, I have to congratulate him in the end.”

Djokovic’s schedule is now unclear until Roland Garros, with him refusing to confirm whether or not he will play in Madrid.

It is possible, though, that the Italian Open in Rome will be his only other tournament before the French Open.

“It was a good week, a successful tournament, I hope it will be a good final tomorrow.

“I hope to play [well] in 4-5 weeks, but we will see. Roland Garros is the goal, I want to play my best there.

“I have to progress, I want to play better than here and in Monte Carlo. Sometimes a match is lost, but it’s a sport.”


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Michael Graham, Tennishead.net Editor, has been a professional sports journalist for his whole career and is especially passionate about tennis. He's been the Editor of Tennishead.net for over 5 years and loves watching live tennis by visiting as many tournaments as possible. Michael specialises in writing in-depth features about the ATP & WTA tours.