Novak Djokovic: The Last Time I Was Disappointed After A Loss Was To Federer At French Open

by Tom Gainey | March 10th, 2012, 10:46 am
  • 13 Comments

Novak Djokovic met the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells yesterday. A year later, Djokovic reflected on his incredible first-half 2011 run that took him to 41-0. Of course the streak was snapped by a semifinal loss to Roger Federer at the French Open, a defeat, Djokovic says, was his most disappointing of the year.

“Even though it was first loss of the year, I think it was a tough one,” Djokovic said after his doubles loss Friday. “He was a better player that day, so I wasn’t disappointed with my game because I think I played well. I think I went for all my shots. I mean, I wasn’t being too defensive there. But still, you know, it was a disappointing loss because I was hoping that I can play the first final in Roland Garros.

“I still think that it was a pretty special one because we went the distance. We went up to what, 9:00, 9:15 in the evening with no lights and with a full stadium. So it has a special feel about it. Roland Garros is my favorite Grand Slam. I love playing there. So hopefully this year I can make at least a step further.”


Now No. 1, Djokovic is aware on his new demands as the king of tennis.

“There is a certain difference, definitely, in the attention that I’m getting obviously with successful year that I had in 2011,” Djokovic said. “But it’s flattering, you know. I try to appreciate that in every possible way. I respect everybody’s opinion, but I still have the same approach.

“My job is to play tennis, you know, to win matches and try to win as many titles as possible,” he said. “And then every award that I receive is definitely very flattering and very appreciative from my side.”

Djokovic is the 2011 Indian Wells defending champion. The Serb who struggled to defend titles in the past already won a second straight Australian Open and he says he’s up for the challenge.

“I’m not really trying to position myself as a defending champion, because then defending, you know, is not really something that I want to have. So I always try to get that aggressive approach.”

In a rematch of their 2011 second round match, Djokovic begins his title defense this afternoon against Kazakh qualifier Andrey Golubev.

“The conditions here are suitable to my style of the game,” Djokovic said. “I think the courts are a little bit slower, which I like and prefer better.


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13 Comments for Novak Djokovic: The Last Time I Was Disappointed After A Loss Was To Federer At French Open

Steve 27 Says:

Jamie who will win IW and Miami? the Djoker, the Bull, the Maestro or anyone else?


Ajet Says:

Wasn’t djoker saying last year that wimbledon was his fave tournament??? at the beginning of this year, i have read him saying that australian is his fave slam!!!
and now he’s saying ”Roland Garros is my favorite Grand Slam.”!!!

he must be DJOKING!!!


Ajet Says:

steve27:

i think either nadal or djoker is winning IW. One of them also will win miami IMO. If anybody after these two i’mm gonna give any chance, then it has to be murray!

roger has the least chance of the top-4 IMO.


skeezerweezer Says:

““The conditions here are suitable to my style of the game,” Djokovic said. “I think the courts are a little bit slower, which I like and prefer better.”

Onimous quote heading into “slow season”.


jamie Says:

My friend only predicts slams.


Steve 27 Says:

Ajet, you are correct, The Djoker is a first class clown.
Jamie, do not be a party pooper


jamie Says:

I think Nole will win IW and Muzza will win Miami.

This is MY prediction, NOT the psychic’s.


jane Says:

I guess he loves all the slams. :) Hope he gets to win a French Open before he is done with tennis.


jane Says:

Hmm, he looked rusty today methinks. He got through in straight sets but Golubev made a whack of errors to help things along.


Nirmal Kumar Says:

I just can’t believe how slow the courts are compared to Dubai. Why can’t they just convert these courts into clay and start the clay season from US itself.


Dave Says:

Djokovic: “Even though it was first loss of the year, I think it was a tough one. He was a better player that day, so I wasn’t disappointed with my game because I think I played well. I think I went for all my shots. I mean, I wasn’t being too defensive there. But still it was a disappointing loss because I was hoping that I can play the first final in Roland Garros.”

Many felt Federer was the best player of last year’s French Open, even though Nadal won the championship. E.g., Eurosport’s Simon Reed: “Superb Federer back to stunning best. Rafael Nadal might be leaving Roland Garros with the trophy, but when I look back at the French Open all I can see in my mind’s eye is Roger Federer. Roger played absolutely outstanding tennis over the last two weeks. He was really rolling back the years, playing as well as he did back in 2007 and 2008 when he was at his incredible best….. (Federer) still played the best tennis of the tournament, during the semi-final against Novak Djokovic. That match was, for me, far and away the match of the tournament. It was tennis to make you laugh: simply so brilliant that it left everyone watching with a huge grin on their faces.”
http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/blogs/simon-reed/superb-federer-back-stunning-best-6276.html

Federer played better tennis to beat Djokovic while he was still playing his best tennis during his 43-game winning streak. Federer then lost to Nadal in a relatively close match where Roger created 15 breakpoints (same number as Nadal did, but Rafa converted just two more BPs 7-5) and had setpoint in the first set.

This is why Federer remains a contender both at this year’s French Open as well as to make a run at the rankings in all parts of the season, regardless of the small-thinking naysayers who keep putting artificial limits on Fed’s chances. A small-minded naysayer recently pontificated it was “irrelevant and stupid” to mention Simon Reed’s article when discussing Federer’s chances to return to No 1 this year. No doubt the same naysayer will now say it is stupid and irrelevant to mention what Djokovic himself said — that Federer can play tennis to overcome Novak’s best in a tourney that means a lot to him.


Ajet Says:

no point in fed beating djoker to reach the final if nadal is waiting there to help fed get his @$$ handed over to him yet again! yawn…
at least djoker can kick nadal’s butt hard and give me the delightful sight of nadal taking positives from his spanking at the hands of djoker. :D


Ajet Says:

no point in fed beating djoker to reach the final if nadal is waiting there to help fed get his @$$ handed over to him yet again! yawn…
at least djoker can kick nadal’s butt hard and give me the delightful sight of nadal taking positives from his spanking at the hands of djoker, LOL! :D

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