The world number one tennis player, Novak Djokovic has said he was still hopeful of finding his groove on clay before next month’s French Open.

The Serb revealed this as he was far from his best in his quarter-final defeat to Dusan Lajovic at the Srpska Open.

Djokovic had dropped just four games across his previous two meetings with compatriot Lajovic.

He had missed 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.” (Reuters/NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Abdulrahman Obaje

Prince Abdulrahman Obaje is a Media and ICT Consultant, Journalist, online marketer, social media strategist, Mathematician and Computer Scientist based in Abuja, Nigeria. He is the Founder and the Publisher of The Informavores!. You can reach me on +234 805 939 5252 or send i-witness report directly to me on news@informavores.com.ng.

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Following his decoration as the Sports Administrator of the year by My Media Africa Ratels Sports Development Foundation (RSDF) has congratulated the Secretary of FCT Football Association Haruna Usman Ilerika.

President of the Foundation, and proprietor of rising Nigeria Women club, Abuja-based Naija Ratels, Barr. Paul Edeh, described the honour as well-deserved.

Barr. Edeh said he has known coach Ilerika as a hardworking administrator and technical personality in football affairs.

“On behalf of the Foundation and the Naija Ratels, I congratulate you for this honour which I believe you deserve. I have always known as a hardworking coach and administrator.

“You have continued to make FCT and Nigeria proud in many ways. I know that this award will propel you to continuously do more,” Barr. Edeh, a seasoned sports administrator said in a statement on Saturday.

Ilerika is on the services of the Federal Capital Territory Administration as the Secretary of the FCT Football Association and at the same time, a professional coach.

He is a CAF C and CAF B Licensed coach and a CAF/NFF football instructor who has a masters degree in public administration.

Author Profile

Abdulrahman Obaje

Prince Abdulrahman Obaje is a Media and ICT Consultant, Journalist, online marketer, social media strategist, Mathematician and Computer Scientist based in Abuja, Nigeria. He is the Founder and the Publisher of The Informavores!. You can reach me on +234 805 939 5252 or send i-witness report directly to me on news@informavores.com.ng.

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The Federal Government Thursday unveiled Ten-Year Football Development Master Plan for Nigeria as part of its determination to ensure growth and development of football in the country.

This follows the charge given by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammudu Buhari to stakeholders in football administration in the country to produce a Ten-Year Football Development Master Plan for Nigeria, a committee was on Thursday constituted by the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development to carry out the assignment.

In a statetment issued by ministry in Abuja, the members of the Committee are listed as follows Emmanuel Babayaro, Sunday Oliseh, Chief Olusegun Odegbami(MON), Mr. Ikeddy Isiguzo, Barrister Adokiye Amiesimaka(MON), Barrister Musa Amadu

Other membrs include, Dr. Bode Durotoye (Ministry Rep), John Opubor (NESG. Rep. OPS), Hon. Ayo Omidiran, Mr. Ogbu Augustine Ojiabor, Tobechukwu Okigbo(MTN), Ade Ojeikere, Alhaji Ibrahim Galadima, Alhaji Mohammed Sanusi(SG NFF), Ogbuefi Tony Nnachetta, Mr. Yemi Idowu and Muhammad Daha Umar Faruk .

The date and venue of their inauguration, as well as their Terms of Reference and other relevant information will be communicated in due course.