Annabel Croft feels it is “appalling” what has been happening to Novak Djokovic this year but she believes that the Serb is still the best player in the game. After being deported from Australia and denied participation at the Australian Open, Djokovic also missed the US Open and four Masters tournaments.
Also, Djokovic successfully defended his Wimbledon crown but still lost 2,000 points and dropped to No 7 after The Championships. Summing up the 2022 season, Croft described it as one of “the most tumultuous years” in tennis history.
“I think it’s appalling what’s happened and the way it’s turned out (for Djokovic). I just think the whole thing is a mess. Not being able to play Australian and the US Open was just ridiculous. You of all the goings on with points and Russian players and it just feels like there is a lot to sort out.
One of the most tumultuous years we have had in tennis”.
Croft asked if Djokovic is still the best in the game
After the US Open, Carlos Alcaraz became the youngest No 1 in tennis history. Even though Alcaraz is now the top-ranked player and Djokovic is seventh, some feel the Serb is still the man to beat wherever he goes.
Going into the Paris Masters and ATP Finals, Croft believes Djokovic has a chance to prove those claims are true. “It certainly feels like Novak is the best player in the world and I guess we will find out over the next couple of weeks at the Paris tastes and the ATP final.
You look at the way he played at Wimbledon, even after everything that happened to him, and it was just flawless. He was magnificent and the way he found a way to beat Nick Kyrgois in the final was so impressive. Make no mistake, Kyrgios is very dangerous when he is at his best and he was playing some fantastic tennis at Wimbledon, but Novak found a way to neutralise him and win another major. It was so impressive,” Croft answered.
