20 January,2017 08:53 AM IST | | PA Sport
Novak Djokovic defends himself against accusations of lack in motivation after second round 7-6, 5-7, 2-6, 7-6, 6-4 loss to Uzbek's Denis Istomin; says quality of opponents keep rising every year
Novak Djokovic
Serbia's Novak Djokovic cuts a forlorn figure during his second round match against Uzbekistan on Day Four of the Australian Open in Melbourne on Thursday. Pic/AFP
Melbourne: Novak Djokovic had to defend himself against accusations of lacking motivation after the 12-time grand slam champion crashed out of the Australian Open.
Djokovic lost 7-6 (10/8), 5-7, 2-6, 7-6 (7/5), 6-4 to Uzbek wildcard Denis Istomin.
Lack of hunger?
Asked if his long-awaited victory at Roland Garros had taken the edge off his hunger, Djokovic said: "I don't know. I mean it's not a time now to go so deep into it. I didn't reflect on that at all at this stage. I started a new season, a new year, as everybody else did. I forgot about it, in a way. It's not affecting me."
Defeat to Istomin, however, ranked 117th in the world, halts his revival and raises questions about the Serbian's drive to reach his former heights. "On any given day, you can lose. Nothing is impossible. There is over a hundred players playing in the main draw. I guess the quality of tennis keeps rising each year. Everybody becomes more professional. I guess they improve.
"They get better on the court. What can I do? I did try my best till the last shot, but it didn't work."
Becker slams Djoko
Djokovic's former coach Boris Becker has criticised the Serbian for lacking fight. "I'm shocked that Novak Djokovic lost," said Becker. "I thought he was playing defensive and never fought for it. I never expected him to have trouble with Denis Istomin. No disrespect but Novak is a six-time Australian Open champion. But I could tell in the first set he was way defensive and passive," Becker added.
