“I thought that Novak Djokovic would be unstoppable and all of a sudden, he’s gone”- Brad Gilbert
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Brad Gilbert and Novak Djokovic
Brad Gilbert, a former American tennis player, revealed that he expected Novak Djokovic to be commanding the game around about this time. However, after considering all of the previous events, Gilbert believes the Serbs’ odds are currently bleak.
So far, Djokovic has had a difficult year. Due to his status as an unvaccinated player, the 34-year-old was unable to play in Australia. He was also denied entry into the United States for the same reason, therefore he was unable to compete in the Sunshine Doubles. In the interim, he was defeated in the quarterfinals of the Dubai Tennis Championships by Jiri Vesely.
In addition, the Serb lost his No.1 ranking to Daniil Medvedev of Russia before regaining it a week later. His top position, though, is in jeopardy, as Medvedev is once again lurking in the shadows, waiting to reclaim it.
“I thought that Novak Djokovic would be unstoppable around this time”- Brad Gilbert
On the most recent episode of the Holding Court with Patrick McEnroe podcast, Gilbert, who is a former World No.4, stated that thinks the new events are “mentally taxing” for Djokovic. “Before any of this with COVID happened, I thought that Novak Djokovic would be unstoppable around this time. [But now], it’s all just a mystery with him,” Gilbert said. “I just think that when you get so much equity by winning matches – which he had tons of – and all of a sudden you’re not playing and all these things that happened with COVID, I think it’s been mentally taxing.”
The former American tennis player, however, expressed optimism and excitement about Djokovic’s comeback. In his words, “Now, it’s kind of forgotten, but that guy has been there the whole time. All of a sudden, he’s gone,” Brad Gilbert said. “I think even if [Novak Djokovic] gets to play all through Europe, I gotta see results and I gotta see how he gets his game back. Maybe he will get it back.”
After that, the American heaped admiration on Carlos Alcaraz, claiming that the World No. 16 had a good chance of winning one of the next four Grand Slams. He also voiced his wish to see the World No. 1 face off against the young Spaniard. “I wanna see Carlos Alcaraz play [Novak Djokovic]. I think Alcaraz is going to come on court and play him and think, “Okay, he’s not the same.” I think if someone has to play him in the fourth round of the slam if you like to bet, put a few on Alcaraz,” Gilbert said. “He’s right there and I like his chances of winning one of the next four Slams.”
Novak Djokovic will stage a comeback in Monte-Carlo
Novak Djokovic has announced that he will begin his clay season at the 2022 Monte Carlo Masters on his website. After withdrawing from the Masters 1000 events in Indian Wells and Miami, the Serb announced his participation in the tournament. Despite being unable to go to the United States due to a lack of vaccination against COVID-19, Djokovic was in the Indian Wells Masters draw until the very last minute. He later announced on Twitter that he will not be doing the Sunshine Double in the United States.
However, the Serb is now able to play the Monte Carlo Masters and defend his championship at Roland Garros after French authorities declared that they will relax their ban on COVID-19 vaccine passes for entry into the country.
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Pritha Ghosh
(414 Articles Published)