World No.1 Novak Djokovic says he is ‘not perfect’ after losing his cool during one stage of his semi-final match at the Italian Open.
The Serbian tennis star was frustrated with parts of his game throughout his roller-coaster 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 win over German qualifier Dominik Koepfer. At one stage of the match Djokovic was issued a warning from the umpire after smashing his racket out of anger. The action came during the sixth game of the second set where he was unexpectedly broken to love.
“Well, let me tell you that it’s not the first nor the last racquet that I’ll break in my career. I have done it before. I’ll probably do it again,” Djokovic said during his press conference.
“I don’t want to do it, but when it comes, it happens. That’s how I, I guess, release sometimes my anger. And it’s definitely not the best message out there, especially for the young tennis players looking at me. I don’t encourage that, definitely.”
“We’re all people. We all do our best. There were times and periods when I don’t do that, and there are sometimes periods when I do. It’s unpredictable really in life what can happen.”
Djokovic’s on-court actions are being closely scrutinised following his shock removal from the US Open less than two weeks ago. In the fourth round of the New York major the 17-time Grand Slam champion accidentally hit a ball behind him that struck a lineswoman and resulted in the tournament referee disqualifying him. Something that had never previously happened in Djokovic’s career, who apologised afterwards for the incident.
“I am working on my mental and emotional health as much as I’m working on my physical health,” he stated.
“It’s always been part of my, I guess, training and recovery, as well, developing strong character and understanding myself on different levels, the holistic approach to life.”
In Rome Djokovic’s next test will be Norwegian rising star Casper Ruud, who is through to his first Masters semi-final after disposing of Matteo Berrettini in three sets. Ruud won his first ATP title back in February at the Argentina Open and a couple weeks later reached the final of the Chile Open. Both of those events took place on the clay.
“He’s making his way up the ranking scale. It’s really impressive to see him in semis, but at the same time, it’s kind of expected, knowing how well he can play on this surface,” Djokovic said of his next opponent.
Should Djokovic go in to win the Italian Open he would overtake Rafael Nadal to become the most decorated player in Masters history with 36 titles. He is already a four-time champion in Rome and last won the tournament back in 2015.
