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Djokovic: "It is what it is, the situation is what it is and you just have to adapt"
🇵🇾 Paraguay /Sports

Djokovic: "It is what it is, the situation is what it is and you just have to adapt"

From ABC Color · (2h ago) Spanish Critical tone

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Novak Djokovic was eliminated in the second round of the Rome Masters 1.000 tournament after losing to Dino Prizmic.
  • Djokovic stated he is not "definitively" at the level he wants to be for top competition and needs to adapt to his current situation.
  • He acknowledged physical issues, including a shoulder injury, have impacted his preparation and performance, but praised his opponent's high level of play.

Novak Djokovic's unexpected early exit from the Rome Masters 1.000 has sent ripples through the tennis world, with the Serbian superstar himself admitting he's not where he wants to be. After falling to the young Croatian talent Dino Prizmic in the second round, Djokovic candidly expressed his struggles, stating, "It is what it is. The situation is what it is, and you just have to adapt and make the most of it." This defeat marks a significant moment for the usually dominant player, who is clearly grappling with form and physical challenges.

Es lo que hay. La situación es la que es, y sólo hay que adaptarse y aprovecharla al máximo.

— Novak DjokovicReflecting on his current form and the need to adapt after his Rome Masters defeat.

Djokovic elaborated on his current state, noting, "I'm half a step late, I'm definitely not where I want to be to be able to compete at the highest level and go far." He pointed to a recurring pattern of physical or health issues preceding tournaments in recent years, referencing a shoulder injury that sidelined him for two months and caused him to miss key events like Miami, Monte Carlo, and Madrid. While he defended his performance in the first and third sets against Prizmic, he described the second set as "one to forget" due to how he felt on court.

Fue aceptable. Fue una buena batalla al final. Pero obviamente veo lo que me falta. Estoy medio paso tarde, no estoy definitivamente donde quiero estar para el más alto nivel.

— Novak DjokovicAssessing his performance and acknowledging his current shortcomings.

Despite the setback, Djokovic showed sportsmanship, praising Prizmic as a "great competitor, great fighter and a great guy." He acknowledged the young player's high level of tennis and commended his progress. This loss in Rome, a tournament he has won six times, not only ends his bid for an eighth title but also prevents a potential dream final against Jannik Sinner. For fans in Serbia and across the globe, Djokovic's frank assessment is a cause for concern, but his determination to adapt and overcome these challenges remains evident. The focus now shifts to his recovery and preparation for upcoming Grand Slams, with many hoping he can regain his top form.

El segundo set fue para olvidar, obviamente, por cómo me sentía en la pista. Pero el primero y el tercero fueron buenos.

— Novak DjokovicDescribing his performance during the match.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Color in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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