Djokovic may skip grass-court season after sensational French Open defeat

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Paris, June 6: A despondent Novak Djokovic said he is unsure whether he will play any part in the grass-court season after his stunning French Open defeat to Marco Cecchinato.

Djokovic's hopes of winning a second title at Roland Garros were dashed when unheralded Italian Cecchinato pulled off a sensational 6-3 (7-6) (7-4) 1-6 7-6 (13-11) result in their quarter-final on Tuesday.

The 12-time grand slam champion looked shell-shocked when he spoke to the press after losing to an opponent who had never won a singles match in the main draw at a major before his spectacular run in Paris.

Djokovic was noncommittal over when he will be back on court after bowing out of his first grand slam since undergoing elbow surgery.

"I don't know. I don't know if I'm going to play on grass," he said.

Asked again about his short-term future during his post-match media conference, the Serbian repeated: "I don't know if I'm going to play on grass.

"I don't know. I don't know what I'm going to do. I just came from the court. Sorry guys, I can't give you that answer. I cannot give you any answer."

The former world number one had shown signs he was getting back to somewhere near his best in the French capital, but said that was of little consolation following his exit.

"I am back in the locker room. That's where I'm back," he stated when asked about his form.

Quizzed how difficult it is to return to the top of his game, Djokovic replied: "It is difficult. Many things in life are difficult."

Asked if he was able to expand on that, he replied: "I'm not. I'm sorry, I'm not."

He added: "Any defeat is difficult in the grand slams, especially one that came after months of build-up. And I thought I had a great chance to get at least a step further, but it wasn't to be. That's the way it is."

Djokovic also said he is unsure how he will regroup after such a setback.

"I don't know. I'm just not thinking about tennis at the moment." he said.

Source: OPTA