Novak Djokovic admits US Open ejection was tough mentally: ‘I experienced ups and downs’

Novak Djokovic admitted he struggled in the days following his US Open disqualification, even if it didn’t look like it in Rome.

The world number one was ejected from the tournament when he accidentally struck a line-official with a spare ball.

It remains the only match he has lost in 2020, but the media storm that surrounded it made for a tough period of time for Djokovic.

“I did experience mentally some ups and downs in the first four-five days after that happened,” he admitted.

“Obviously having a tournament a week after helped a lot because I really wanted to get on the court and get whatever trace of that out of the way.

Djokovic was still good enough to win the Rome Masters, even if he was possibly helped by the early exit of a very rusty Rafael Nadal.

“It was a great week, a very challenging week,” Djokovic said after beating Diego Schwartzman in the final.

“I found my best tennis when I needed it most. Now we turn to Paris and I couldn’t ask for a better tournament here in Rome.”

Djokovic will be back in action again at Rolland Garros, where he will be the top seed.

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