Novak Djokovic sets new Masters record with Italian Open title

Thirty-three-year-old said the victory helped him move on from his US Open disqualification

Novak Djokovic said his Italian Open win on Monday helped him to move on from his US Open disqualification earlier this month.

The world No1 came in for heavy criticism at Flushing Meadows after accidentally striking a lineswoman with a ball, and the Serb said he spent several days processing what had happened before heading to Rome, where he captured a record 26th ATP Masters crown by defeating Diego Schwartzman 7-5 6-3.

“I did experience mentally some ups and downs in the first four or five days after [the disqualification] happened,” Djokovic told reporters.

“Obviously I was in shock... but I moved on, I’ve never had an issue in my life to move on regardless of how difficult it is.

“Obviously having a tournament a week after helped a lot, because I really wanted to get on the court and get whatever trace of that out of the way.”

Djokovic, who has won 31 of his 32 matches this year, said he would have to raise his game further to challenge for the title at the French Open, which begins on Sunday.

“I don’t think I played my best tennis to be honest, I don’t want to sound arrogant here. I am very satisfied and pleased to win a title. [But] I know I still have a couple of gears.

“Hopefully I’ll be able to raise that level for the French Open because that’s going to be necessary if I want to go deep in the tournament.”

Defending Roland Garros champion Rafael Nadal was stunned by Schwartzman in the Rome quarter-finals, but Djokovic expects the Spaniard to be firing on all cylinders in Paris.

“He’s the player who has the highest chance of being in the final ... if it’s Roland Garros, it’s Rafa you bet on,” he said.

Nadal has won a record 12 French Opens – more titles at a single major than any other player has achieved.

Reuters