World No. 1 Novak Djokovic failed to win the Serbia Open title but Andy Roddick thought the Serb got everything he wanted from his campaign in Belgrade. After an early exit in Monte Carlo, Djokovic bounced back in Belgrade as he reached the final before losing in three sets to Andrey Rublev.
Djokovic was down by a set in each of his first three Belgrade matches but recovered each time to beat Laslo Djere, Miomir Kecmanovic and Karen Khachanov, respectively. Rublev was also down by a set to Rublev but failed to complete a comeback win as Rublev won 6-2 6-7 (4) 6-0.
“Was just the kind of week Novak needed. Had some seriously physical matches and had the reps for the mental stress points. He has some time to recover/practice before Rome. Obviously we all want to win all the time, but I think he got everything he wanted/needed out of the week,” Roddick tweeted.
Was just the kind of week Novak needed. Had some seriously physical matches and had the reps for the mental stress points. He has some time to recover/practice before Rome. Obviously we all want to win all the time, but I think he got everything he wanted/needed out of the week — andyroddick (@andyroddick) April 24, 2022
Djokovic collapsed in the third set
Djokovic ran out of energy after the second set but after the match noted he wasn’t dealing with COVID.
“It’s not COVID, it’s something else, but I wouldn’t want to go into details. I don’t think it’s necessary. It’s just something that affects my body and my metabolism for a few weeks. we didn’t have much time to get ready for Monaco,” Djokovic said.
A similar collapse happened to Djokovic in his Monte Carlo opener, when he lost the third of the Alejandro Davidovich Fokina match by a 6-1 score. “I feel better, I play in three sets from match to match. I can extract positive things.
It’s a little worrying that I have this feeling on the field because I haven’t had it for many years,” Djokovic said. “I train, I do things that I have always done and I am considered someone who is in the best shape on the tour.
It’s not a body thing, it’s just something that affects me, but from week to week it will get better and better.” Djokovic isn’t competing this week but he is set to return to action next week at the Madrid Masters.
