Novak Djokovic admits he ‘was mentally a bit empty and confused’ at the start of tennis hiatus

ATP Tour
Novak Djokovic takes a breather

Novak Djokovic has revealed that he initially found it difficult to cope with the uncertainty surrounding the restart of the tennis season.

The sport has been on an enforced break since the start of March with mid June initially pencilled in as a return date, but that was later changed to July 13.

However, the likes of Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray and Simona Halep have admitted that it is unlikely that tennis will return any time soon.

World No 1 Djokovic says it was tough to adapt initially.

“For us tennis players it is important that the calendar is clear,” he told Sky in Italy. “Officially it is July 13, many people say it is difficult we will start again on that day.

“For me it is important to have a routine, I cannot keep on waiting for that day. I train every day at the gym, I run at home, I play with my kids and this is also hard work.

“At the beginning I was mentally a bit empty and confused, because (the timing) wasn’t clear. I talked with my team, I tried to train every day, even though I didn’t follow the preparation strictly.”

The suspension of the ATP and WTA Tours has resulted in the cancellation of Wimbledon for the first time since World War II, but the US Open and French Open are still going ahead as things stand following Roland Garros’ rescheduling to September.

However, there is still a big question mark over the calendar season.

“Officially it (the restart) is July 13 but the WTA in Canada (Rogers Cup) has already been cancelled, although not the men’s event,” Djokovic added.

“We need to see how the situation in the United States goes, because we are expected to go there in August.

“There’s the possibility that they cancel all the events in America and that we go back to the tennis court in Autumn, maybe we can go to Rome in two-three months – let’s hope we can get back to playing.”

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