Last May, Novak Djokovic excoriated organizers at the Madrid Open following a quarterfinals loss to Janko Tipsarevic, a defeat he attributed to the unpredictable bounces caused by a new blue clay surface.
The world’s number one had a different excuse Tuesday, after a stunning second-round defeat to Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria, in his return to Madrid. This time, Djokovic partially blamed a lack of fitness for a 7-6 (6), 6-7 (8), 6-3 defeat to the No. 28 ranked Dimitrov.
Djokovic hardly picked up a racket since capturing the Monte Carlo Masters on a sprained right ankle in late-April. Djokovic, who initially suffered the injury last month against the United States in the Davis Cup, needed to take an injury time-out midway through the second set to treat the ailment.
“Physically, it's not so good,” Djokovic said. “I was hesitant to come back because I didn't prepare myself well enough for this tournament. But look, I am not trying to make any excuses for this loss All the credit goes to Dimitrov.”
Dimitrov also required an injury break of his own after suffering from cramps in the second set. At 5-all, Dimitrov cramped in mid-rally during a critical point, but Djokovic was unable to take advantage. At deuce, the 25-year old Serb missed two forehands to give Dimitrov a 6-5 lead. Djokovic held to force a tiebreaker, then saved a match point at 6-7 when Dimitrov netted a backhand return off a serve-and-volley. Djokovic pumped his fist when he captured the tiebreak at 10-8, before yelling angrily at his box.
In a match that lasted more than three hours, a physically-drained Dimitrov broke Djokovic to open the final set, then held his serve from 15-40 in the ensuing game for a 2-0 lead. It was a lead Dimitrov would not relinquish.
Moments after the shocking win, tears filled Dimitrov’s eyes as he embraced his box. The 21-year old Bulgarian celebrated his first career win over Djokovic by writing, “I love you, Dad,” on the lens of a camera.
A hostile crowd jeered Djokovic as he left the court.
"Why Madrid booed me? I don't know,” Djokovic said. “Really, I didn't do anything wrong.”
Roger Federer and Andy Murray both advanced in straight-set wins. Federer, the No. 2 seed, defeated Radek Stepanek of the Czech Republic 6-3, 6-3. Murray, who is seeded No. 3, was pushed to two tiebreakers in a 7-6 (11), 7-6 (3) win over Florian Mayer of Germany. Rafael Nadal, the No. 5 seed, is scheduled to face Benoit Paire of France on Wednesday.
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