Former British No.1 questions if Novak Djokovic is dealing with ‘distractions’ and lost ‘confidence’ amid slump in form
Novak Djokovic last lifted a title at the 2024 Paris Olympics and is stuck on 99 titles, last reaching a final at the Miami Open.
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Novak Djokovic (Image via Univers Tennis)
Novak Djokovic suffered a massive dip in his form as he, for the second time this year, suffered three consecutive defeats. Age is catching up to him and he, no matter how hard he is trying, is not able to produce consistent performances.
Since winning the gold medal at the Paris Olympics last year, Djokovic has reached a final only twice: at the Shanghai Masters and the Miami Open, losing both to Jannik Sinner and Jakub Mensik, respectively. In Grand Slam events, his last victory came at the 2023 US Open and since that victory, he reached only one Major final.
Last year, he suffered a second consecutive defeat to Carlos Alcaraz at the Wimbledon final. In the ongoing clay swing, he lost both of his opening round matches at the Monte Carlo Masters and the Madrid Open he played against Alejandro Tabilo and Matteo Arnaldi, respectively.
Then he surprisingly withdrew from the Italian Open, which is scheduled to start on May 7. The World No.5 won’t be playing the ATP Masters 1000 in clay for the first time since making his debut in 2007. Amid his trophy drought, former British No.1 Annabel Croft questioned if the Serb has lost his confidence.
I mean, that win [his Australian Open quarterfinal victory over Carlos Alcaraz) was absolutely phenomenal. He hasn’t been the same since, so I don’t quite know what’s going on, whether there are distractions [outside of tennis] or he’s just not happy or he’s lost confidence.
Annabel Croft told Sky Sports Tennis
The 24-time Grand Slam champion is expected to come to Paris to chase his fourth French Open as well as his historic 25th Grand Slam title. The 37-year-old, who is stuck on 99 titles, had reached the quarterfinals of the French Open last year but an injury forced him to withdraw from his clash with Casper Ruud. In the first Grand Slam tournament of the season, that is the Australian Open, Djokovic reached the final but again an injury ruined his plan for the 25th title.
Daniil Medvedev wants Novak Djokovic to join his coaching team
Novak Djokovic surprised the tennis world when he added Andy Murray to his team last year the Scot called him on his career at the Paris Olympics. Djokovic, the most successful player in Men’s tennis, too has received a coaching offer. It’s from Daniil Medvedev, the Russian ace who on Thursday (May 1), ended his Madrid Open campaign with a straight-set defeat to three-time Grand Slam finalist Casper Ruud.
I would pay for Novak to be my coach. I don’t believe that Novak will be a coach right away, it is more realistic that he will give advice and share his experience with his friends who are closest to him on the Tour.
Daniil Medvedev told Sportal
Medvedev also heard in Australia that Djokovic promised World No.2 Alexander Zverev that he would be working with him for a year after his retirement. When Djokovic will retire, he has not yet given any hint.
After ending his Australian Open campaign this year, however, he said he was uncertain if he will be playing Down Under the next year. If the Belgrade native wins another title, he will become the third man to reach the 100-title mark after Jimmy Connors and Roger Federer.
Medvedev, on the other hand, has ample amount to bid for his first title since winning the 2023 Italian Open. So far in the season, he failed to reach a final. Due to his inconsistent performances, he is once again on the verge of dropping from the top 10.
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