“He was sick for three weeks,” Shocking Novak Djokovic health update surfaces after the Australian Open as heartbroken fans finally have an answer

Novak Djokovic's performance against Jannik Sinner in the 2024 Australian Open semis raised a lot of questions, and there might finally be an answer to them.

“He was sick for three weeks,” Shocking Novak Djokovic health update surfaces after the Australian Open as heartbroken fans finally have an answer

Novak Djokovic looked in discomfort during Australian Open semifinal (Images via X)

The 2024 Australian Open semi-finals between Novak Djokovic and eventual champion Jannik Sinner was certainly historic. Not only did the Serb lose his first match in Melbourne Park after 2195 days, but it also brought an end to his title defense.

Sinner won the match 6-1, 6-2, 6-7(8), and 6-3 to reach his first-ever finals at a Grand Slam event. The first-set defeat of Nole was his worst in over a decade of playing at Melbourne Park. Had it not been for his clutch game skill in the tiebreaker, he looked certain for a straight-set defeat. 

YouTube video

Nole took an extended bathroom break after the second set and came out in fresh new clothes. While this had helped him a couple of times earlier, this time luck was not in his favor. The Italian capitalized on his advantage and closed the match out in four sets to knock the World No. 1 out.

Nole later himself admitted the match to be his ‘worst Grand Slam performance‘. Amid this, with rising speculations on the actual reason, there seems to be some light shed on the actual reason for Nole’s low energy performance. 

Popular Serbian journalist Luka Nikolic’s statement is going viral in Djokovic fan circles. The statement alleges that the 24-time Grand Slam title winner was down with flu and fever. With his physical health not at 100%, he still chose to play instead of just withdrawing. 

He got a fever the night before the semi-final. Something similar to what Zverev had. He was sick for three weeks, and then he had a relapse. That's why he played so badly in the first two sets, you could see he was weak and couldn't do it.
Reads the statement attribtued to Nikolic. 
He couldn't play well in those conditions. He didn't want to go to the doctor so the journalists wouldn't bother him and made a fuss.
Added Nikolic.

Novak Djokovic is absent from the upcoming Dubai event as well

The speculation over Novak Djokovic’s ill health could be further backed by the World No. 1’s absence from the upcoming 2024 Dubai Tennis Championships.

Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic leaves the Rod Laver Arena after losing to Jannik Sinner (Credits: ABS-CBN News)

The Serb is a five-time champion at the event and is one of the most regular players to compete at the tournament. Following his controversial deportation from Australia in 2022, Nole started his season at this very event itself.

Neither Djokovic nor his coaching team led by Goran Ivanisevic made any official comment on this matter. Given his absence from Dubai, it’s quite likely the Serb will return directly for the Sunshine Double in March. With not many points to defend, he would certainly prioritize his health and be fit for the rest of 2024.

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