Top-seed Djokovic said he will improve after his Indian Wells loss by learning from the mistakes. PHOTO: AFP
MIAMI: Novak Djokovic is looking to bounce back at the ATP Miami Masters after his 22-match win streak was ended last week at Indian Wells and the absence of Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer is no problem.
Nadal wants to rest his weary knees after a comeback that has seen him win three titles, including last Sunday’s Indian Wells final, and 17-time grand slam champion Federer is skipping Miami as well as the claycourt season looms.
“It’s the same for me,” said world number one Djokovic. “I’m sure that even without them we will have a great tournament.”
Djokovic will try to claim his fourth Miami title, while Serena Williams attempts to take her sixth career crown at the $8.5 million ATP and WTA event that provides first-round byes to seeded players.
“I look forward to this tournament and I’ve had plenty of success,” said Djokovic. “That gives me a reason to believe I can do well again.”
Djokovic opens against Czech Lukas Rosol – who stunned Nadal at Wimbledon last year – while Williams will open against Italy’s Flavia Pennetta in the American’s first event since reclaiming the world number one ranking.
“It feels good to be on top, especially after working so hard and just really not expecting much,” said Williams. “It’s exciting to be here again.”
Argentina’s Juan Martin del Potro ended the Serb’s win streak 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 in the Indian Wells semi-final last Saturday. Djokovic had not lost a match since falling to American Sam Querrey at the Paris Masters on October 31. His 17 match victories this year included a fourth Australian Open title run and an ATP triumph in Dubai.
“It’s not an easy thing,” said Djokovic. “It’s easier said than done really, to go out there and keep the focus going and try to stay grounded and fight for every point regardless who is across the net.
“So that’s why it’s a big challenge. But it happens. I lost my match in Indian Wells, a very close match, almost three hours against a Grand Slam champion, an established top 10 player.”
Djokovic thrilled with US Open decision
Meanwhile, Djokovic was pleased at the US Open’s announcement that it will boost prize money to $50 million by 2017 and change the schedule to finish with a Sunday final in 2015 after playing a Monday men’s final this year and next.
“It’s a positive step to see the prize money increase. It’s a good response. It’s a very positive step for players. It proves that players are more united than ever. It hasn’t happened for ever or for many, many years that we have such increases. Not just the top players, but a lot of players who are in the top 100, top 200, deserve to have a better living from this sport. This is a great move forward.”
Published in The Express Tribune, March 22nd, 2013.
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