'Life goes on,' says Djokovic

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Former world No. 1 Novak Djokovic suffered another shocking defeat when the Serb lost to France's Benoit Paire 6-3, 6-4 in the second round of the Miami Open on Friday.

"I love this sport. There's a lot of people that support me, especially here. I thank them for their great support. Unfortunately I'm not at the level they would like to see me at and I would like to see myself at. But it is what it is,” said a disappointed Djokovic after the match.

"Life goes on," he added.

Djokovic only battled for one hour before losing the match in straight sets, dropping serve four times and striking some poor groundstrokes at baseline.

Novak Djokovic of Serbia reacts to a lost point against Benoit Paire of France during Day 5 of the Miami Open at the Crandon Park Tennis Center on March 23, 2018 in Key Biscayne, Florida. /VCG Photo

Djokovic has seemingly always found a way to play great tennis, but since suffering an elbow injury that kept the Serbian out for the final six months of last season, the 30-year-old has struggled to find his form this season.

"I mean, I'm trying, but it's not working," said Djokovic, who suffered his third consecutive loss.

"The circumstances that I was in the last two years were very challenging. But I'm not the only one that goes through that. There are tougher injuries that players go through. I don't want to sit here and whine about my last couple of years.”

"I'm just in general trying everything I can. It is what it is. I'm not at the level that I used to be," Djokovic added. "I'm aware of that. I just have to obviously believe in myself and hopefully it will come."

Source(s): Xinhua News Agency