Ex-ATP pro doesn’t see Novak Djokovic winning more Grand Slam titles as it has become ‘complicated’ with injury woes
Novak Djokovic recently suffered a shocking three-set defeat to Matteo Berrettini in his opening round of the ongoing Indian Wells.
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Novak Djokovic (Image via X)
Novak Djokovic had an incredible season in 2023 as he took home three Grand Slam titles; and emerged victorious in the ATP Finals. The following year was a far cry from that season as he ended it without lifting a title on the tour.
The former World No.1 has carried that dismal form into the 2025 season. Djokovic so far this year, is yet to reach a final while coming close to his historic 25th Major at the Australian Open. But injury played spoilsport as he tore his hamstring muscle and retired mid-match in the semifinal he was playing against Alexander Zverev.
The World No.7 recovered against time to play the Qatar Open but was no match for former World No.6 Matteo Berrettini in the opener. Djokovic then registered three back-to-back defeats for the first time since 2018 when Botic van de Zandschulp shocked him in the Indian Wells opener.
Amid his poor run of forms, former ATP player Nicolas Escude said Djokovic is now on the “downward slope“. The Frenchman also can’t foresee the 24-time Grand Slam champion winning a Major again.
Given what he’s accomplished, he’ll no longer be able to achieve, not just feats, but win every tournament he entered, dropping only a few sets here and there. So, yes, he’s on the downward slope. At the beginning of the year, we already asked ourselves the question about Novak Djokovic and, in my opinion, I don’t see him winning a Grand Slam anymore; it’s far too complicated for him.
Nicolas Escude said on Retour gagnant
Escude compared Djokovic’s situation to that of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, both of who struggled to play a high level of tennis while dealing with injury issues toward the end of their career. Djokovic last lifted a Major at the 2023 US Open with a straight-set win over Daniil Medvedev. He fell short of accomplishing the Calendar Grand Slam due to his five-set defeat to current World No.3 Carlos Alcaraz at Wimbledon.
Rafael Nadal reveals strategy to beat Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic edged Rafael Nadal 31-29 in 60 matches. The 22-time Grand Slam champion reflected on his incredible career during former rival Andy Roddick‘s Served with Andy Roddick podcast and revealed the strategy he used to beat the Serb.
Against Roger, I damage him with his backhand. Against Novak, I don’t have that feeling. So I started to use the slice against him. Sometimes it worked me well. Also, I played more to the middle. Don’t give him a lot of angles.
Rafael Nadal said
Nadal, Djokovic, and Federer kept each other on their toes throughout their career and have won 66 Grand Slam titles between them. The Swiss maestro retired in the 2022 Laver Cup with 20 Grand Slam titles, while Nadal bid farewell at the 2024 Davis Cup.
The 37-year-old too hinted at retirement after his heartbreaking Australian Open exit. He said that he perhaps had played his last match at Melbourne Park and another appearance Down Under would depend on his fitness.
Novak Djokovic could play at the Miami Open next
Following his three-set defeat to Botic van de Zandschulp at the Indian Wells, Novak Djokovic said in the press conference that he was unsure whether to participate in the Miami Open next to search for his first ATP title of the season. The second ATP Masters 1000 tournament of the year is scheduled to start on March 18.
Djokovic has clinched the Sunshines Doubles four times (2011, 2014, 2015, 2016). He didn’t participate in the tournament last year as after his defeat in his second match at the Indian Wells, he started to prepare for the clay season.
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