Djokovic: Feeling pressure

2007-11-12 08:01

Shanghai - Novak Djokovic admitted he was struggling to cope with the high pressure demands of being world number three after opening his Masters Cup campaign with an error-strewn defeat.

The 20-year-old Serb slumped 6-4, 6-4 to rampant Spaniard David Ferrer in the Gold Group round robin, committing 41 unforced mistakes in a hapless display on Sunday.

Afterwards, he conceded high expectations had affected him in his first Masters Cup match.

"I always had very high goals, so pressure is something that's normal to have. And, of course, as the third player of the world, I'm the favourite in most of the matches, so I have to deal with that pressure," he said.

"But of course it's not easy. I didn't cope with that pressure today."

Djokovic is tipped as a main contender for the season finale after a breakthrough year with five tournament wins and his first Grand Slam final, reaching the number three ranking in July.

But the man known as "The Joker" for his humorous impersonations of fellow players cut a dejected figure as he was blasted off court in straight sets.

"If you come here as a young player and the third player in the world, one of the players that is probably the favourite in the match, then there is a lot of pressure," he said.

"Unfortunately that pressure was pretty big today. But again, I played against a player who really deserved to win, so there is no excuses."

Djokovic has not lost hope of reaching the semi-finals, with matches still to come against second-ranked Rafael Nadal and French debutant Richard Gasquet.

The round-robin format "gives me situation another opportunity to come back and try to play better and win some matches," he said.

"Hopefully, you know, I can have chances to get to the semi-final."

Spain's Nadal beat Gasquet in Sunday's other match in the $4.45m end-of-season showpiece featuring the world's top eight players.

- AFP