“He looked a little older than his age,” Novak Djokovic called out on getting old by the day as former world no. 10 discusses the Serb’s future on court

Novak Djokovic's age again becomes a topic of discussion for former pro's following the Serb's semi-final exit from the Australian Open.

“He looked a little older than his age,” Novak Djokovic called out on getting old by the day as former world no. 10 discusses the Serb’s future on court

Novak Djokovic (Credits: CODE Sports)

No one would have imagined Novak Djokovic would be put in the situation he is in right now. Well to start with, not many could have thought the King of Melbourne Park could be defeated on the Rod Laver Arena.

But Jannik Sinner accomplished the rare feat to knock out the Serb from the semis of the 2024 Australian Open. Nole was unbeaten at the Grand Slam event since his fourth-round loss in 2018. Sinner became the 9th man to beat Djokovic at the Australian Open. To Nole’s credit, he is yet to lose to any player twice in Melbourne.

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The loss to Sinner meant the Serb was defeated at the Major after a whopping 2195 days. It was a big coincidence given Carlos Alcaraz‘s Wimbledon title in 2023 also meant Djokovic lost at the All-England Club after 2195 days.

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Following the loss to Sinner, questions around Djokovic are rising, primarily on his retirement. Joining the conversation was former World No. 10 and 2001 Australian Open runner-up Arnaud Clement.

The Frenchman commented on how everyone wondered if the Serb could be defeated, especially on the hard courts and grass. But with Alcaraz in Wimbledon and Sinner in three straight matches on hardcourts, different questions have been raised. 

The vision we have of Djokovic is a little called into question. For the first time, in Melbourne, we said to ourselves that he looked a little older than his age.  It’s clear that two or three guys who can stand in his way at Grand Slam tournaments because they are able to stop him in the important moments.
said Clement as per L’Equipe. 
Of course, Djokovic is capable of setting things straight. But, if we take a snapshot of the end of 2023-beginning of 2024, Sinner beat him in matches that really matter, whether in the Davis Cup or in Melbourne. Now that he beat him in the five-set format, he knows he can do it again.
added the Frenchman.

Arnaud Clement not surprised by Jannik Sinner’s win over Novak Djokovic

Amid the constant questioning of Djokovic, Clement brought a different narrative. He commented on Sinner’s progression since the second half of 2023 and how he has now fitted himself perfectly in the conversation for the Top-4 players on the Tour.

Novak Djokovic
Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic (Image via X)
If there was a player capable of making a surprise it was him. Given his level in 2023 and his progression, it was clear that he was no longer in the same category. At the end of the year, he clearly joined the clan of the four, along with Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, and Daniil Medvedev.
said Clement about Sinner.

Clement’s comment makes sense given the current rankings of the Tour. Sinner’s win in the finals meant he has now breached the 8000-ranking points mark. Following him is World No. 5 Andrey Rublev who holds 5050 points closely tailed by World No. 6 Alexander Zverev with 5030 points.

It is unlikely that the Top-4 is moved anytime soon. The four men might swap places between them but a fifth player replacing them altogether looks difficult, at least until the 2024 French Open.

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