Djokovic looking to jump start stuttering season

FE Team | Published: March 09, 2014 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00

INDIAN WELLS, United States, Mar 8 (AFP): A stuttering start to 2014 doesn't have world number two Novak Djokovic pushing the panic button just yet.
The Serbian star admits his failure to win a fourth straight Australian Open crown in January gave his early 2014 campaign a different flavor.
But the world's second-ranked player insisted Friday he trusts he has the tools to turn things around.
"It's a different feel, definitely," said Djokovic, who will launch his campaign at the Indian Wells ATP Masters this weekend against Romanian Victor Hanescu.
"I won the Australian Open title three consecutive years, and that has significantly affected the confidence level in the start of the season and all the tournaments that were following up. This year it's not the case.
"But, again, I have still a lot of confidence because, you know, I'm playing well. I'm feeling good about myself. When you work hard and when you trust your instincts and you have that self-belief on the court, the results will come."
The last time Djokovic made it into March without reaching an ATP final was in 2006.
In fact, Djokovic has played just two tournaments this season, falling to eventual champion Stanislas Wawrinka in the quarter-finals of the Australian Open and to old foe Roger Federer in the semi-finals at Dubai.
Both losses were matters of a few key points, Djokovic said.