Novak Djokovic Clinches Fifth Italian Open Title To Bounce Back From US Open Shock

Novak Djokovic clinched his fifth Italian Open title after being disqualified for hitting a line official at the US Open early in September.

Italian Open champion Novak Djokovic said getting back on the court for a tournament so quickly after being disqualified at the US Open for striking a line judge with a ball helped him move on from the incident.

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— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) September 21, 2020

READ ALSO: Novak Djokovic Disqualified From US Open After Hitting Line Judge With Ball

The world number one came under heavy criticism at Flushing Meadows earlier this month and the Serb said he spent several days processing what had happened.

He returned to the tournament to play in Rome last week and captured his 36th ATP Masters crown in Monday's final by beating Argentine Diego Schwartzman 7-5 6-3.

"I did experience mentally some ups and downs in the first four-five days after that happened," Djokovic told reporters.

"Obviously I was in shock... but I moved on, I've never had an issue in my life to move on regardless of how difficult it is.

"Obviously having a tournament a week after helped a lot because I really wanted to get on the court and get whatever trace of that out of the way."

Djokovic, who has won 31 of his 32 matches this year, said he would have to raise his game further to challenge the title at the French Open which begins on Sunday.

"I don't think I played my best tennis, to be honest, I don't want to sound arrogant here. I am very satisfied and pleased to win a title. I know I still have a couple of gears," he added.

"Hopefully I'll be able to raise that level for the French Open because that's going to be necessary if I want to go deep in the tournament."

Defending Roland Garros, champion Rafael Nadal was stunned by Schwartzman in the Rome quarterfinals, but Djokovic expected the Spaniard to be firing on all cylinders in Paris.

"He's the player who has the highest chance of being in the final ... if it's Roland Garros it's Rafa you bet on," he said.