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Djokovic had dropped just four games across his
previous two meetings with compatriot Lajovic, but the world
number one squandered several chances to get past his opponent
on Friday, converting just one of 16 breakpoints as he fell to a
6-4 7-6(6) defeat.
The loss is Djokovic's second early exit from a tournament in as
many weeks, following his third-round defeat to Lorenzo Musetti
at the Monte Carlo Masters last week.
"Lajovic played well. On the other hand, I played much worse
than I wanted to," Djokovic told reporters after the defeat in
Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
"I cannot win matches against opponents who are this solid on
this surface by playing like this.
"I didn't feel well on the court, my legs were slow and my
footwork was torpid, many missed shots, totally without
direction. I played well at times but I played noticeably under
my level."
With Rafa Nadal having skipped a string of clay tournaments due
to injury, Djokovic will be looking to build momentum ahead of
the French Open where the Serbian will target a 23rd Grand Slam
to go ahead of the Spaniard.
The French Open, the second Grand Slam of the season, begins on
May 28.
"I hope to get into tip top shape for Roland Garros. I want to
play my best tennis there," said Djokovic, who has also been
struggling with an elbow injury.
"The conditions are totally different there in comparison with
Monte Carlo and Banja Luka. There are still several weeks to
practice and play.
"In the previous seasons, I've always had an unsatisfying and
slow start on clay and then played much better tennis in the
final stages. I hope to repeat the same pattern this year."
(Reporting by Aadi Nair in Bengaluru; Editing by Kim Coghill)
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