Rolex Paris Masters: “It’s hard to have a clear mind when you spend more time in the bathroom than on the court,” explains Djokovic

World No.1 Novak Djokovic managed to qualify for the quarter-finals of the Masters 1000 in Paris on Thursday by overthrowing Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor (23rd) 4-6, 7-6 (7/2), 6-4, reduced after spending “more time in the toilet than on the court” in recent days. (On feeling after his victory): “I think he (Tallon Griekspoor) deserved a lot to win this match but that's sport. One point can decide the winner of this match, that's what happened tonight. I felt good at the start of the match, I served well, but afterwards I felt a lot of weaknesses, I felt bad until the end of the third set. It was complicated with a very low energy level. But I found the right solutions at the right time, particularly in the second set where I did everything to get to the tie-break and it happened. I then served well to finish the match.”

(On being reduced): “It's hard to have a clear mind when you spend more time in the bathroom than on the court over the last three days. My energy level has been very low these past few days. I took the days one after the other, today was perhaps the worst day. I just hope tomorrow is better. But it's one of those matches where you have to accept the circumstances, accept how you feel and try to stay in the match, which I did. I found my serve in the right moments to get out of the difficulties, but I think I was one stroke away from losing the match, which makes this victory mentally even more important.