“He is aware that he is already old,” Alex Corretja thinks Novak Djokovic’s decision to participate in ATP Geneva 250 is a ‘strategic’ one

Corretja thinks the World No.1 gets into a rhythm by making it to the semifinals, final, or by lifting a title in an event.

“He is aware that he is already old,” Alex Corretja thinks Novak Djokovic’s decision to participate in ATP Geneva 250 is a ‘strategic’ one

Alex Corretja, Novak Djokovic (Images via X, Imago)

Some believe that age is finally catching up with Novak Djokovic, while some foresee that he is not going to retire without winning a few more Grand Slam titles. This year has been forgetful for the Serb so far so he is spending his energy on how he can lift the French Open, the main draw of which starts on May 26th. 

Alex Corretja, a former tennis player who now sits behind the microphone for Eurosport and MAX, explained the reason behind Djokovic’s lackluster performances in the four tournaments he has played and why he chose to play at the Geneva Open, an ATP 250 event, before the Roland Garros.

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Nole is too smart, and we know too much about him and his body and his tennis for us to have doubts about him. I think he has been saving himself throughout the season. He is aware that he is already old and that a hellish summer of tennis is coming, starting at Roland Garros, the Games, through Wimbledon, also the US Open
Alex Corretja said during an interview with Relevo

Corretja added that the World No.1 gets into a rhythm by making it to the semifinals, final, or by lifting a title in an event. As the same has not happened much this year, he decided to sign up for Geneva to arrive in Paris well-prepared.

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Alex Corretja recalled Novak Djokovic’s campaign in 2021

Alex Corretja pointed out how, even in 2021, Novak Djokovic decided to play the Belgrade 2 (an ATP 250 event), which he won and ended up winning back-to-back titles by becoming the French Open champion after beating Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-7, 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4. 

Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic (Image via Imago)
He went to Belgrade just before Roland Garros, played in Belgrade, won Belgrade, and ended up winning Roland Garros.
Alex Corretja said

The Serbian great last won a title in 2023 at the ATP Finals by beating Jannik Sinner. He kick-started his campaign this season at the Australian Open, then withdrew from some important events before playing in Indian Wells. After opting out of the Miami Open, he played in Monte Carlo and missed the next two clay-court events in Barcelona and Madrid before arriving in Rome. 

In Rome as well, the Serb’s trophyless run continued when Alejandro Tabilo knocked him out easily in straight sets 6-2 6-3 in the third round. Djokovic will next play against Germany’s Yannick Hanfmann (who defeated Andy Murray) on May 22nd in the Round of 16. On the same day, Djokovic turns 37. 

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