Novak Djokovic admits he has much work to do in order to retain his top level in time for the US Open, after experiencing a second successive early exit on the North American hard courts.
The world No1, who won Wimbledon last month, suffered his first defeat to Spaniard Tommy Robredo in nine years to stumble out of the Cincinnati Masters third round, a week after succumbing to a similar fate against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga at the same stage in Toronto.
The Serb will now head to the US Open with just two wins in the build-up.
“Just many, many, many things are not clicking these two weeks on hard courts,” said Djokovic, who has just under 10 days until the Grand Slam action kicks off in New York.
“It’s unfortunate, but it’s more than obvious I’m not playing even close to what I’m supposed to play.
“I have to keep on working and trying to get better for the US Open.
“Obviously I want to peak in New York. I expected more from myself, but I have to keep on going.
“A Grand Slam is coming up, and that’s where I want to do well,” added the 27-year-old, who got married last month and is expecting his firstborn. “I’m going to try to analyse the game with what I have done wrong in these couple of weeks.
“And that’s why I have a team of people around me, to make sure I’m going in the right direction.”
The US Open begins on August 25 in New York where Djokovic is seeded No1.