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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Six Polo giant-teams and clubs across the country are billed to take part in the five-day stretched program of events competing for various trophies as part of the activities pencilled to celebrates 2021 World Tourism Day in Arungungu in Kebbi state.

The teams include; the Vibrant polo teams NSK Farms, Ayutan Farms, Weststream Ponies and NFVCB Polo Team. Others are Gagdi Farms and Pali Resorts Polo Team.

In a statement signed by the Director, Media & Public Relations Ahmed Mohammed Sule said that teams will battle it out for quite a number of highly rated and prestigious trophies which includes the President’s Cup, Governor’s Cup and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation’s (SGF) Cup. As well as the Sultan’s Cup and the Emir of Argungu’s Cup.

According to the statement, activities are bracing up for the NSK Polo Tournament and cultural festival as part of events line up for the 2021 World Tourism Day Celebration holding in Argungu, Kebbi State from Saturday 25th to Monday 27th September 2021.

“Our search on the level of preparedness of the team showed that all the teams are in high spirit bracing up to the challenges of the game with each hoping to emerge victorious over and above the rest. This is a clear indication that all the teams are potential champions.

“NSK Farms Polo team from Kebbi state will be led by Nura  Kangiwa, Ayutan Farms team from Yola Adamawa state is led by Alhaji Tanko Ayuba, first President of Nigerian Polo Federation. The polo team of Weststream Ponies from Zaria, Kaduna State is led by Abdulkarim Jibrin, Treasurer of the Nigerian Polo Federation

“Others are NFVCB Polo Team\ from Abuja, FCT under the leadership of Alhaji Adedayo Thomas, Gagdi Farms polo team from Jos, Plateau state led by Alhaji Adamu Gagdi and Pali Resorts Polo Team from Bauchi, Bauchi state.

“Organizers of the polo tournament promised that the tournament as part of activities lined up for the observance of the 2021 World Tourism Day is going to a spectacular sports tourism event with visitors and spectators expected to come from within Nigeria and beyond, including the neighbouring country of Niger Republic.”

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.