Djokovic searches for lost 'mojo' ahead of Rome Masters

[May 15, 2017]  (Reuters) - World number two Novak Djokovic said he lost motivation after winning the French Open to complete a career grand slam last year, but now feels he is on the right path to rediscover his "mojo".

The Serb, who split with his coaching team earlier this month, reached the semi-finals of the Madrid Open last week, where he lost to eventual champion Rafael Nadal.

"If I could describe my tennis in one word, I feel like I'm in transition," Djokovic said in an interview posted on the ATP website. (www.atpworldtour.com)

"After winning Roland Garros, I didn't know how I was going to feel. I never had that issue after winning a big trophy, of bouncing back and finding new ways to motivate and inspire myself.

"But last year I found some emptiness for the first time in my life in terms of motivation. I needed a few months to think about things and get that mojo back on the court."

Djokovic's victory in France was followed by a shock third-round defeat by Sam Querrey at Wimbledon. He reached the U.S. Open final later that year, but lost to Switzerland's Stan Wawrinka.

At this year's Australian Open, six-times champion Djokovic was knocked out in the second round by 117th-ranked Denis Istomin. But that loss has not shaken his confidence that he is on the right path to success.

"I felt that the start of the season went really well for me this year, winning in Doha. I unfortunately lost in Australia, but mentally I felt better and better as time went by," Djokovic said.

"My game just hasn't been there. I'm happy I reached the semi-finals in Madrid, which has been my best result this year. It shows me I'm on the right path."

Djokovic returns the ball. REUTERS/Susana Vera

One thing that remains undiminished is Djokovic's desire to win. The 29-year-old will play in the Rome Masters this week before attempting to defend his title at Roland Garros.

"If I don't want to win every match I play, win Grand Slams and be No. 1 in the world, then I wouldn't be playing tennis professionally," he said.

"It's of course because I want to win... but what people didn't comprehend is that I needed to dig deep inside of me to find the new inspiration and motivation to get the new beginning and a new chapter."

(Reporting by Simon Jennings in Bengaluru; Editing by Hugh Lawson)

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