Marcos was beaten in the first round of the Internazionali BNL d’Italia on Sunday in Rome, losing to the in-form Grigor Dimitrov 6-3, 6-4 in 77 minutes.
Marcos was broken twice as the 21-year-old Dimitrov built on his success at last week’s Mutua Madrid Open, where he recorded the biggest win of his career against World No. 1 Novak Djokovic.
“I’m not in a great run at the moment,” said Marcos, having also lost in the first round of last week’s Mutua Madrid Open. “I’m losing a bit of confidence. Dimitrov served very well today. I didn’t have many chances. The chances I had, he served very well. I’m a bit in a bad rhythm because I’m playing one match a week and I’m not getting more matches because I’m losing in the first round.
“Dimitrov’s a tough opponent, a very good player,” continued Marcos. “Especially playing him now is very difficult because he's on a good run. But that's not an excuse to lose a match. Even though he’s in a good run, if I’m on a good day, I can disturb him. I have to see my side and improve a few things.”
Marcos will have the chance for more clay-court practice ahead of the French Open as he partners 2009 US Open champion Juan Martin del Potro in the doubles competition. They will face Italian wild cards Paolo Lorenzi and Potito Starace in the first round.
“Hopefully in doubles [I can get more matches] and I'll keep practising,” said Marcos. “I’m feeling good on the court, putting a lot of effort in it. Even now with my new coach, we talked a lot about the match. He saw some things. I also felt some things that I need to be worked on.”
Marcos began working with new coach, Zeljko Krajan, last week, and hopes the Croatian can help him find his rhythm and confidence before Roland Garros in two weeks’ time. Krajan was recommended by former World No. 3 Ivan Ljubicic and Marcos’ wife, Karolina Sprem.
“Karolina knew him,” explained Marcos. “I chose him because I called Ljubicic; I wanted advice from a guy who played tennis before and knows the sport a lot. I want to find something and then stick to it. It's not good that I change coaches all the time; I need stability. I asked Ivan if he can help me out and we thought about him. He's from the same city as Karolina, which helps when I'm back home in Croatia. We’re on trial until Wimbledon. He has worked a lot with the women’s tour, but he was Top 100 before on the ATP World Tour, so I think he has a lot to offer. He’s the Croatia Davis Cup coach as well. I think he can help me a lot.”
