Written by Staff Writer at CNN
Djokovic recovered from a mid-match lapse to beat Isner and set up a semifinal clash with the surprise package from La Liga, Ramsey Ferrer
Djokovic recovered from a mid-match lapse to beat Isner and set up a semifinal clash with the surprise package from La Liga, Ramsey Ferrer
The US Open champion has issued an apology to the New York crowd for being distracted by thought.
A “booing” noise has led Serbian Serb Novak Djokovic to question the condition of the crowd during the first set of his match with John Isner in the Rogers Cup on Tuesday.
The 32-year-old — who had looked in total control when he took the first set in just 25 minutes — lost a serve before the noise came across the stadium.
The home favorite denied a high-quality contest by winning 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 to set up a semifinal clash with the surprise package from La Liga, Ramsey Ferrer.
After his post-match press conference Djokovic sent an apology message to tennis fans.
“I was distracted by a couple of things — two high-decibel announcements during the break and also as I was trying to ignore this noise, I lost my timing and I ended up missing a few return balls,” Djokovic said.
“I apologize for that in case you guys were influenced by that noise in the end and missed a few shots. It was not a boisterous crowd.”
Djokovic, who has recovered from ankle and wrist injuries and is attempting to become the first man to win the same ATP event six times, earned six break points in the first set — on three occasions winning the point — but the break was to be the only one of the second set.
“I do have some issues with my ankle and tendon and I don’t know what’s happened over the last two or three days of quite intense play,” he added.
“But I’m trying to get more confidence from this match. I felt in the last couple of days that I was comfortable with my ankle and played the previous matches without any ill effects and injured it unfortunately while chasing that ball which is regrettable.
“But I need to take the positives and as much confidence I can get out of this match and work on some areas of my game which are a little bit behind the baseline, just start attacking and have more space and just move forward more, with more zip.”