Following a disappointing loss to No 109 Daniel Taro at Indian Wells, the Serb’s struggles continued in the States on Friday with another loss.
He went down in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4, to Frenchman Paire – No 47 in the ATP rankings – to bring to an end a 16-match winning streak in Key Biscayne.
Djokovic – a six-time winner in Miami – has now suffered three straight defeats after returning from a six-month lay-off with an elbow injury at the Australian Open in January.
The 12-time Grand Slam champion has not endured such a poor run of form since the end of 2007, when he lost five on the spin.
And Djokovic admitted that his continued failure to get back to his best level is taking its toll on him mentally.
“I’m trying, but it’s not working,” the 30-year-old admitted. “That’s all it is.
“I’m not feeling great when I’m playing this way. Of course, I want to be able to play as well as I want to play.
“Just, it’s impossible at the moment. That’s all. I lost to a better player.
“I wouldn’t go out on the court if I didn’t believe I can win a tennis match. I wouldn’t be here if I wasn’t trying.
“Nobody is kind of forcing me with a whip to go out on the court. I have a freedom to choose whether I want to play or not.
“I love this sport. There’s a lot of people that support me, especially here. I thank them for their great support.
“Unfortunately I’m not at the level they would like to see me at and I would like to see myself at.
“But it is what it is. Life goes on.”
Djokovic is expected to return to the tour at the Madrid Open in May – allowing himself a break to rediscover his form on the practice courts.
