Interviewed by Tennis Channel, former world number 1 in doubles Mark Knowles analyzed in detail the latest performances of Novak Djokovic. He said: “I have to admit that I was a little surprised. We knew that Novak Djokovic would struggle at the start, not having the pace of the match and having been stuck for a long time due to the well-known vaccination issue.
The fact of not knowing where and when he could play certainly did not help him psychologically. As if that weren’t enough, Nole has come up with an unspecified disease. I expected that in Monte Carlo he would not have enough petrol to overtake Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.
However, I was amazed by the collapse against Andrey Rublev in the third set of the final in Belgrade. I want to see what happens in Madrid and Rome.”
Nole will take the court in Paris
The Belgrade player will have no problems playing the Roland Garros, given that France has abolished the vaccination pass, favoring the return to normal.
Nole will also be able to defend the title at Wimbledon. After coming close to the Calendar Grand Slam last year, Novak Djokovic had to deal with some difficult moments. Considering that the season did not start in the best way for the Serbian champion, which paid a very high price for its choice not to get vaccinated against the Covid-19.
The world number 1 was unable to defend his title at the Australian Open, as well as suffering serious damage to his image. As if that weren’t enough, the 34-year-old from Belgrade had to watch helplessly as his eternal rival Rafael Nadal triumphs at Melbourne Park.
Nole made his season debut in Dubai, but his race stopped already in the quarterfinals at the hands of a wild Jiri Vesely. The 20-time Grand Slam champion then took part in the Masters 1000 in Monte Carlo and the ATP 250 in Belgrade, showing a physical condition far from 100%.
The great goal of Djokovicis obviously is the Roland Garros, where he will be called upon to defend the title he won in 2021.
