Novak Djokovic admits his confidence has been rocked by a string of poor results after a premature return from elbow surgery.
The former world No 1 saw his latest comeback in Barcelona last week ended after one match as he was eliminated by qualifier Martin Klizan.
The 30-year old Serb conceded that the last 18 months have been testing but he has vowed to work hard to get back to winning ways.
“I have always believed in myself and that is why I was able to make all my childhood dreams come true, but right now my confidence is not at the highest level,” he told reporters in Serbia, where he is preparing for the start of the French Open on May 21.
“That is not surprising given the lack of results and all I can do is knuckle down to hard work to restore it. A few good matches and one good tournament and it will come back.”
Djokovic’s slump began after he won his maiden French Open title in June 2016 to complete a career slam and amass 12 major honours.
A string of below-par performances were followed by Djokovic having to retire against Czech Tomas Berdych in last year’s Wimbledon quarter-finals with an elbow injury which kept him sidelined until January’s Australian Open.
After a last 16 defeat by South Korean upstart Hyeon Chung in Melbourne, Djokovic had another spell on the sidelines following elbow surgery and said he had come back too early because he was hungry to play again.
Since returning he has suffered early exits in Barcelona, Monte Carlo, Miami and Indian Wells.
“That was my decision because I missed playing tennis so much but I was not ready and it backfired,” he said.
“After everything I have been through in the past year or so, I have had to lower my expectations but my motivation and my ambitions remain unchanged.
“After this year’s Australian Open I was not sure whether Id have elbow surgery or not. I was reluctant but then I realised it was the best long-term solution.
“The recent results have not been what we are used to but coming back is a process and all I can do now is knuckle down to some hard work.
“I have had some similar situations in the past but not one quite as challenging as this, so I have to accept it as part of a learning process.”
Djokovic reunited with long-time coach Marian Vajda in April but that remains a short-term arrangement – at least for now.
“We have made plans until the end of the clay season – three more tournaments ending with Roland Garros,” said Djokovic, who is currently the world No 12.
“After that we will sit down again and make further plans.”
