Roger Federer (Photo : Getty Images)
Roger Federer isn't much surprised to see world's no.1 Novak Djokovic losing to unheralded youngster Jiri Vesely in the second round of the Monte Carlo Masters this week.
In a press conference at Monte Carlo, the 34-year old Federer gave his reaction to Djokovic's early round exit and provided explanation why such thing isn't new to him.
While the Swiss admitted that Djokovic is playing on a different level right now, he still thinks that everyone is still vulnerable to losses, whether or not that player is the no.1 ranked netter in the world. Federer believes no matter how good the player, the fact is he can't win them all.
"We as tennis players know that losses can come in any given match. So for us it's not that big of a surprise that top guys lose sometimes. Maybe (we) didn't expect this one coming. But which one (defeats) do you expect of Novak to come? You can't win them all."
After bagging four tournaments (including the 2016 Australian Open championship and back-to-back triumphs in Indian Wells and Miami), Djokovic entered the European clay-court season as the overwhelming favorite. Even more, the Serb had a significant advantage over the rest of the field at Monte Carlo since the playing venue is just 3 to 4 minutes away from his home.
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Unfortunately, Djokovic started on a wrong footing and Vesely took advantage of the situation very well. With the loss, the Serb lost his claim on one of his two titles this season (the other is the Rome Masters).
-Federer, who lost to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in an entertaining three-set QF battle (3-6, 6-2, 5-7) at Monte Carlo, is scheduled to fly to Barcelona next week for some commitments, including stuffs about the expansion of Roger Federer Foundation.
It remains unknown if Federer will still play in a tournament before Roland Garros, although he disclosed that he had registered in Madrid and Rome as backup options depending on his performance at Monte Carlo [via Tennis World USA].
