After the match, Djokovic admitted it was difficult to lose early when he wasn’t playing as frequently as he used to. “I do play fewer tournaments, so I’m more selective with my schedule,” he explained.

“So of course it’s not a great feeling when you, you know, drop out very early in the tournament, and especially here, I haven’t played five years. I really wanted to do well. But wasn’t meant to be. We move on.”

That didn’t stop Djokovic from deciding to skip the second Masters 1000 of the year instead of getting some more matches under his belt, having played just 11 this season. He is next expected to compete in Monte Carlo, with the tournament beginning on April 7.