Novak Djokovic has said his new racquet is the reason for a below-par start to the season.
Serbian still getting used to new equipment
Novak Djokovic has said his new racquet is the reason for a below-par start to the season.
With his Australian Open defence looming, Djokovic lost to Ernests Gulbis in the opening round of his 2009 debut appearance at the Brisbane International.
That defeat prompted the world number three to accept a wild card into next week's Sydney International in order to get extra match practice ahead of the opening Grand Slam event of the season, which starts in Melbourne on January 19.
The Serbian, 21, also admitted his decision to spend New Year's Eve in Belgrade, rather than honing his skills Down Under, may have been the wrong one.
"I wasn't supposed to play here (Sydney) but I decided to play here because of the lack of the matches prior to the Australian Open and I think I need some more official matches so I can get into the rhythm," he said.
Change
"I went from Wilson (racquet manufacturer), which I played with for the last three years, to Head and there's a lot of mental involvement obviously if you make a big change and it takes some time.
"Of course, you have to hit a lot of balls and you just have to feel comfortable.
"I didn't feel in Brisbane comfortable with the racquet and with the circumstances, but it's going to be better.
"I usually try to keep the week before any Grand Slam (free) because I want to prepare and I want to save as much energy as I can.
"Because you're playing the best-of-five sets and it's not easy under the difficult conditions, under the big heat.
"But, as I've had a lack of the matches and I have made some major changes with the racquet, I need to get some more matches under my belt so I can feel comfortable."
