Novak Djokovic missed a chance to gain more match practice on the way to the French Open (27 May to 10 June). The former world number one from Serbia lost his opening game at the clay court tournament in Barcelona and suffered another setback.
Djokovic, who started with a wild card, lost to Slovakian qualifier Martin Klizan (ATP No. 140) in 1:39 hours 2:6, 6:1, 3:6, Last week “Nole” failed in the round of 16 of the Masters in Monte Carlo at the Austrian Dominic Thiem. Djokovic opened its clay court season in the Principality.
The 30-year-old continues to look for his shape after his break because of an elbow blow. The twelve-time Grand Slam champion could only use two of his break chances against left-handed Klizan – and had to give up his serve three times. Especially in the second service, Djokovic had a weak success rate (54 percent points won).
Djokovic had started with a new racquet in Barcelona. Just one day before the draw, he asked the tournament organizers of the 2.79 million euro Barcelona Open Bancsabadell for a wildcard.
The six-time Australian Open winner was only at the start for the second time in the Catalan metropolis. “The first time was twelve years ago. And I was only here for two days. I hope to be able to extend my stay a bit this time,” said the “Djoker” before his first match. Hope did not come true.