Novak Djokovic admits he was ‘rusty’ in Basel as ATP Finals race heats up

Thursday, 29 October 2026 at 04:30

Novak Djokovic acknowledged that he still has work to do to reach his best level after beginning his Swiss Indoors Basel campaign with a hard-fought comeback against Ugo Humbert. The Serbian recovered from a set down to prevail 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, but his post-match comments revealed that he had expected some difficulties as he returned to indoor tennis for the first time this season.

The 24-time Grand Slam champion had to overcome an aggressive opponent who dictated the tempo during the opening stages. Humbert took the first set and continued to put pressure on Djokovic early in the second, forcing him to save two break points before he could turn the match around. The Serbian eventually found his rhythm, but he admitted afterwards that the adjustment had not been straightforward.

Djokovic's return to Basel comes at a significant point in his season. Having accepted a wildcard for the ATP 500 tournament, he is attempting to collect enough points to qualify for the ATP Finals in Turin. He entered the week in 11th place in the live Race to Turin standings, 319 points behind Rafael Jodar, who occupied ninth position.

With the Swiss Indoors followed by the Paris Masters, Djokovic has two remaining opportunities to strengthen his qualification bid. However, his immediate focus is on improving his level after a season in which he has had to manage his schedule carefully. His assessment after facing Humbert suggested that he was pleased to have found a way through, while recognising that his performance was not yet where he wanted it to be.

Djokovic admits he expected to be rusty on indoor return

Djokovic's first indoor match of the season presented a different challenge from the conditions he had faced in recent tournaments. The quicker courts in Basel favour aggressive baseline players and strong servers, making it difficult to establish control against an opponent who can take time away from his rival.

Humbert used those conditions effectively, particularly in the first set, when Djokovic struggled to create opportunities on return.

"It's my first indoor match, so I kind of expected it to be a little bit rusty, and a tough draw for the first round," Djokovic said in press conference. "I played Humbert only once, years ago.

"As I said, tough player, really quick conditions, so hard to break the serve, and once you do, you're kind of under pressure with a player like him, he serves so well, he was super aggressive."

Novak Djokovic hitting backhand at 2026 US Open.

The Serbian also described the intensity of the opening stages, when Humbert repeatedly forced him onto the defensive. Djokovic had to remain patient before finding the right response at the beginning of the second set, a period he identified as crucial to the outcome.

"Super tight match, very intense from the very beginning," the former world No. 1 said. "He was just striking the ball beautifully, being super aggressive, taking away a lot of the time for me."

"I was under attack from the very first point to be honest, and I had to weather the storm, and it was tough, really tough, for a set and a half," Djokovic added. "But I managed to find my rhythm at the beginning of the second and save some break points, crucial at the beginning of the second set. After that, I started feeling a bit more comfortable with his tempo."

Djokovic knows he must improve in ATP Finals qualification push

The comeback was important beyond the immediate result, as Djokovic continues to chase a place at the season-ending ATP Finals.

His opening victory kept him in contention, but he still needs a deep run in Basel and a strong performance in Paris to close the gap on the players ahead of him. With limited opportunities remaining, every additional round could prove valuable.

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Djokovic was satisfied to have navigated a difficult contest, although he did not suggest that the performance represented his ceiling. Instead, he emphasised the challenge of finding solutions when an opponent is playing aggressively and the conditions make it difficult to break serve.

"Overall, a huge challenge, and great burden and obstacle. I succeeded to manage to find the solutions in a tough match," Djokovic stated. "It's a big win for me. I know there's quite a few things I can do better, but a win is a win, and I'll take that today."

Djokovic will face Jan-Lennard Struff in the second round in Basel. The Serbian has won all eight of their previous meetings, but another victory would be particularly useful as he attempts to build momentum before the final Masters 1000 event of the season.

Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist

Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.

His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.

In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.

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