Djokovic acknowledges difficulties in Basel: "There are quite a few things I can do better"

Novak Djokovic needed three sets to overcome his first test in Basilea, but he ended up finding the formula to defeat Ugo Humbert, who challenged him from the first exchange. The Serbian returned to the Swiss tournament 15 years after his last participation, but he was not going to find an easy task there. Later, in statements on the court, he acknowledged both the merit of his opponent and the difficulties of his own debut indoors.

"It was a very tight match, very intense from the beginning. I was hitting the ball wonderfully, being super aggressive and taking away a lot of time from me," Djokovic explained about his opponent. "Honestly, I was under his attacks from the first point," he confessed. A description that reflects the script of a match in which Humbert managed to impose his rhythm for much of the first set and forced the Balkan player to seek solutions to change the dynamic.

Djokovic explains the key to his comeback against Humbert

The comeback began to take shape at the start of the second set when Djokovic managed to save several break points that could have complicated his situation even further. From there, he began to feel more comfortable with the Frenchman's ball speed and found greater consistency to take control of the match. "It was really tough for a set and a half, but I managed to find my rhythm at the beginning of the second set and saved some crucial break points. After that, I started to feel a bit more comfortable with his rhythm," detailed the Serbian.

Djokovic did not hide the difficulty of the challenge. Humbert forced him to work for every opportunity in especially fast conditions, where serves carry decisive weight and break chances are scarce. "It was a huge challenge, a great burden and an obstacle, but I managed to find solutions in a complicated match," he summarized, satisfied to have made it through.

The victory also served as a way to get accustomed to a surface that he still needs to explore this season. "This is my first indoor match, so I expected to be a bit rusty," admitted Djokovic, who labeled the first-round draw as demanding. Regarding Humbert, he insisted that he is a fast player, with a great serve and capable of attacking from any position.

The self-criticism was accompanied by a conclusion very typical of a competitor of his caliber. "I know there are quite a few things I can do better, but a win is a win and today I’ll take that," he stated. Fifteen years after his last appearance in Basel, Djokovic celebrated a victory once again on Swiss soil. It was not a showcase nor the most comfortable performance of his season, but it was a comeback that allows him to continue progressing while adjusting his game to indoor conditions.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Djokovic reconoce dificultades en Basilea: "Hay bastantes cosas que puedo hacer mejor"