Stretched by tight schedule, Djokovic says he is finding it hard to keep track of time zones
ATP Cincinnati Masters second seed Novak Djokovic says he has to remind himself which continent he is on as his fast-paced schedule spins swiftly with the Olympics done and the US Open near.
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“If you don’t keep track of time and places where you are, it happens — sometimes you wake up and say, ‘OK, which time zone am I in right now?,’” Djokovic said.
Novak Djokovic. Pic/Getty Images
Djokovic made the quick-change from Wimbledon Olympic grass to Toronto hardcourts last week to win Canada’s Masters event.
“It’s the way it is for everybody, mostly for top players,” he said. “We are aware of the fact that Olympic Games are going to make our schedule more difficult and busier than previous years.
“That’s what happens always in the tennis schedule when you have an Olympic year coming up. We all tried to work our schedule around that. For now, I’m feeling good.”
Djokovic will play his opening match against Italian Andreas Seppi.
Roddick bows out
Meanwhile, Andy Roddick was knocked out in the first round.
The former World No 1, who will be 30 later this month, lost in straight sets to 25-year-old Frenchman Jeremy Chardy 7-6 (7/4) 6-3 in a one hour 33 minute contest at Cincinnati’s Lindner Family Tennis Center.
Venus, Serena win
In the women’s matches, Venus Williams found herself in a struggle with Russian Maria Kirilenko, the 12th seed, before pulling out a 6-3, 6-7 (5-7), 6-2 first-round win at the Western & Southern Open on Tuesday. Williams was joined by younger sister Serena as the second seed dispatched Eleni Daniilidou of Greece 6-3, 6-4.u00a0