“You have to make incredible sacrifices,” Former British ace feels Novak Djokovic will retire after 2024 Paris Olympics

Novak Djokovic suggests that dizziness and nausea may have led to his shocking defeat against Alejandro Tabilo in Rome.

“You have to make incredible sacrifices,” Former British ace feels Novak Djokovic will retire after 2024 Paris Olympics

Novak Djokovic in Rome (Image via Imago)

Novak Djokovic’s season hasn’t gone as expected. With the Serbian star yet to win a title this year, he now stands a chance of losing his No. 1 position. Following his exit from the Italian Open in Rome after his loss, British legend Mark Petchey believes he may retire after the Paris Olympics.

Yesterday, Djokovic lost to Chilean Alejandro Tabilo in the third round of the Masters tournament in Rome, his second third-round exit this season following the Indian Wells exit in March.

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The 24-time Grand Slam champion was hoping to earn his 1,100th Tour-level win against Tabilo but played so poorly that the match only took 68 minutes.

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He knows he has much work to do before Roland Garros. However, British legend Petchey revealed that the Djokovic season might be going the same way as American legend Pete Sampras‘ 2002 season. Sampras, who had won 13 Grand Slams before 2002, struggled that season but won the US Open and then announced his retirement.

Meanwhile, Djokovic has reiterated his aim of winning gold at the Paris Olympics, the only title missing from his trophy cabinet. According to Petchey, perhaps Djokovic might win the Olympic gold and retire just like Sampras, who made sure he had won the highest men’s singles major title (at that time) before retiring.

Do you also have the impression that Djokovic will say goodbye to tennis after the Olympic Games, the only thing he hasn't won and for which he will give everything? I'm starting to feel the vibes of Sampras 2002. I still put him in the category of favorites for Roland‐Garros and Wimbledon, but to be so great for so long you have to make incredible sacrifices.
Mark Petchey wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter)

Last year, Djokovic won three of the four Grand Slams, including the French Open. The Serbian will hope to put his poor Rome display behind him as he heads to Roland Garros, which starts on May 20.

Novak Djokovic reveals dizziness and nausea as part of what led to his Rome exit

Novak Djokovic was in shock after losing to 26-year-old Alejandro Tabilo in the third round of the Rome Masters. The 36-year-old succumbed to a 2-6, 3-6 loss in just 67 minutes, one of the worst performances by the Serbian, who has won the tournament six times.

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Novak Djokovic (Image via Imago)

However, he related his loss to the second-round incident in which a bottle struck his head after beating Corentin Moutet. Despite getting medical care, he admitted he suffered dizziness and headaches.

It was unexpected obviously. I wasn't even looking up. Then I felt a very strong hit in the head. That has, yeah, really impacted me a lot. After that I got the medical care. Been through half an hour, an hour of nausea, dizziness, blood, a lot of different things. I managed to sleep okay. I had headaches.
Novak Djokovic said

Djokovic will be taking the needed precautions after Rome’s exit, as he looks forward to making a statement at the Roland Garros.

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