Serbia's Novak Djokovic serves to Netherlands' Botic van de Zandschulp during the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden in Indian Wells, California on Saturday-AFP INDIAN WELLS, California, Mar 09 (Reuters): Novak Djokovic made no excuses for the poor performance that sent the five-time Indian Wells champion packing from the California desert on Saturday after falling 6-2 3-6 6-1 to Botic van de Zandschulp in the second round.
Djokovic, 37, retired from his Australian Open semi-final against Alexander Zverev with a hamstring injury but his movement did not appear hampered on a sun-soaked day on Stadium One court.
"Obviously no excuses for a poor performance," he told reporters.
"It doesn't feel great when you play this way on the court, but congratulations to my opponent. Just a bad day in the office, I guess, for me.
"I regret the level of tennis considering how I practice these days."
The Serbian great came out flat against the tournament lucky loser, who took full advantage of a blizzard of errors from the 24-time Grand Slam champion to capture the first set.
Djokovic raised his level to grab the second but van de Zandschulp refused to back down, running away with the decider before the sold-out crowd.
The Indian Wells courts have been resurfaced this year to make them more in line with the conditions at the Miami Open and US Open and Djokovic said he struggled to read the bounce of the ball.
"The difference between the centre court and the other courts is immense," he said.
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