After losing in his opening match at Rome for the first time in his career, Novak Djokovic congratulated his opponent Dino Prizmic then signed autographs for his fans on court, before heading off to applause.
Not what the six-time champion wanted for a Friday at the Foro Italico, but at least Djokovic is back on the court and has taken his first step on the road to Roland-Garros.
“It’s not ideal preparation, to be honest,” he said to reporters immediately after the three-set loss to the 20-year-old who grew up idolizing him. “I don’t recall the last time I had in the last couple years a preparation where I didn’t have any kind of physical issues or health issues coming into the tournament. There’s always something. Kind of a new reality that I have to deal with.
“It is frustrating. At the same time it’s my decision to still perform in that kind of state and conditions. It is what it is.”
Djokovic withdrew from this year’s Miami Open after reaching the round of 16 at Indian Wells. Friday’s loss to Prizmic was his first match since early March.
Asked if he would consider playing in Geneva during the week of Roland-Garros qualifying, Djokovic said it is not his intention.
“This year, I’ll just go to Paris straight,” he said.
Djokovic talked about his difficulties ahead of the tournament, telling ATP Media that he was not really pleased with his level – yet.
“I’m ready enough to compete,” he said, adding: “I’m not really the happiest with the level of tennis or where I am with my movement or the physical state, but it’s getting there.
“I wanted to be back on the tour earlier, but I couldn’t. I was injured, and so I had to deal with it progressively.”