Novak Djokovic admits current plight is ‘not something I’m used to’ as he looks to

Novak Djokovic is finding himself in unfamiliar territory as it is the middle of March and he is still to win a title this year.

The tennis great traditionally kicks off his season with a trophy Down Under as he has won 10 Australian Open crowns and if things do go wrong at Melbourne Park he often makes up for it by lifting a tournament in the Middle East – although the 2022 season was an exception as he was not allowed to play in Australia and the United States and his first title only arrived in May.

Things have also not gone according to script for Djokovic so far this year as he started his season off with a run to the semi-finals of the United Cup with Serbia before he was stunned in the last four of the Australian Open by Jannik Sinner.

After opting to skip the Middle East swing, including the Dubai Tennis Championships, Djokovic was hoping to finally end his 2024 title drought at the Indian Wells Open but he suffered another shock defeat, this time losing against world No 123 Luca Nardi in the third round.

The 24-time Grand Slam winner, who is no 7-3 in 2024, admits he is in a “negative cycle”

“I could have done everything different. I mean, as I said, very poor performance from my side,” he said.

“No titles this year. That’s not something I’m used to. I was starting the season most of my career with a Grand Slam win or, you know, Dubai win, or any or tournament.

“It’s fine. You know, it’s part of the sport. You just have to accept it. Some you win; some you lose. Hopefully I’ll win some more and still keep going.

“I guess every trophy that eventually comes my way is going to be great (smiling), obviously to break the kind of negative cycle a little bit I’m having in the last three, four tournaments where I haven’t really been close to my best.”