Despite Novak Djokovic’s troubled start to the season, which culminated with the defeat in the final at the home tournament in Belgrade against Andrey Rublev (losing the third set to 0), the Russian tennis player in an interview said he was certain that the number one of the world, playing continuously, will return to its levels.
Rublev, unlike Djokovic, got off to a great start to his season, winning three titles out of as many finals played (he won the ATP 500 in Dubai and the two ATP 250s in Marseille and the aforementioned title in the Serbian capital).
Some more important titles are still missing from his palmares, but his good start in 2022 bodes well for the current season. According to the current number 8 in the world, Djokovic’s difficulties this year are psychological in nature.
“He has nothing to do with feeling with the ball or with the body. He is more psychological. When you are under pressure, when you don’t know if you will be able to play or not. Then the Covid rules are abolished, you understand that there will be an opportunity to play the season,” said Rublev.
Pistolesi reflects on Nole Djokovic
Monica Seles’ former coach Claudio Pistolesi believes there is no clear GOAT (Greatest of all time) amongst Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, and Novak Djokovic. “My GOAT is – this period of time 99-2000 when Roger Federer stepped into picture, many think he is the GOAT,” Pistolesi said.
“But then came Rafa Nadal, that beat him and he starts to win 13 French Open – I get crazy only when I think about that – 13 French Open! We have players that won – for me Guga Kuerten won three times French Open, was incredible already – and this guy won 13, so then he won two Wimbledon.
And then is coming Djokovic, ridiculous number of weeks at No. 1 at the world, the one with most times No. 1 in the world in ranking (Year-End No. 1), winning another 20 Majors,” he continued. “So is impossible to say one of these three.”
The tennis coach firmly believes that a single member of the Big 3 does not stand out more than the other. As such, Pistolesi feels all three combined are the greatest to grace the game. “I think my GOAT is the combination of Federer, Nadal and Djokovic – not to be diplomatic but this is the truth,” he said.
“You know, if you say Nadal, there is a but – yes, maybe Nadal because he won most Major but Djokovic is the one with most No. 1 (weeks and year-end) and Roger, he has for sure records that is even difficult to keep track.”
