Novak Djokovic - "I felt like I was rusting"
After the early end of the second ATP Masters 1000 tournament of the year in Miami, the world number one Novak Djokovc seems a bit perplexed.
by Jörg Allmeroth
last edit: Mar 27, 2019, 11:29 am
When Novak Djokovic had outclassed a certain Rafael Nadal in three sets in the Australian Open final at the end of January, speculation shot up into the tennis stratosphere not surprisingly. Nothing was impossible for the Serb anymore, his former coach Boris Becker said, that he could now “certainly” win the French Open - and thus the fourth major tournament in a row. Other experts such as the former world ranking first Mats Wilander also gave the 31-year-old front man the "best chance" to conjure something up on the big stages that no professional in the modern history of this sport had yet succeeded in - namely a calendar Grand Slam, the triumph at all top events in Melbourne, Paris, London and New York in one season.
On Tuesday evening, on the Center Court of the Hardrock Stadium in Miami, Djokovic was a good distance away from these steep career brands. The Djokovic Express, which has been irresistible and almost unchecked since last Wimbledon's coup last summer, has stalled. He had "lost his rhythm" after a good start, Djokovic said after his 6: 1, 5: 7, 3: 6 defeat against the solid Spaniard Roberto Bautista-Agut - but what was true at the moment for this round of 16 final in the south of Florida , that was now also valid for the entire season of the world rankings first. And for his overall athletic and mental state. Djokovic looks attacked, vulnerable, not as grippy and gripping as in the last three Grand Slam tournaments, all of which ended with him as a cup hero. "I opened the door a crack. And he took the chance to win, ”said Djokovic, a weary and dull-looking artist.
Djokovic already torn apart in Indian Wells and unfocused
Rivals quickly recognize the vulnerability of a leader wolf that no longer exudes the usual dominance and lives on the court. Even with Djokovic's sensational two-set loss to Philipp Kohlschreiber in Indian Wells, California, cracks were felt in the appearance and appearance of the Capitano, Kohlschreiber's glory, his courage and determination were one thing - but Djokovic’s embarrassment and lack of concentration was another. The Serb later complained that he was "too busy with other things that had nothing to do with playing on the court."
With this, Djokovic also admitted what he had denied for a long time - namely that his activities in higher or lower tennis politics, depending on the point of view, also had an impact on his form. The ambitious Serb, who chairs the player council of the professional union ATP, was the main operator in the replacement of ATP boss Chris Kermode. Around the Masters in Indian Wells there was also a confrontation between Djokovic and the ancients Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal - the titans felt consciously ignored in the power games initiated by Djokovic. According to Federer, Djokovic did not even have time to talk to him the day before the crucial vote on Kermode's future. The whole thing seemed like a revival of old animosities between Djokovic and Federer, the Djokovic camp used to like and often complained about the privileges of the Maestro at tournament organizers.
Djokovic had won the "Sunshine Double", the two Masters highlights in March in Indian Wells and Miami, four times. 2011 and 2014 to 2016. Now some saw his sudden defeats against Kohlschreiber and Bautista-Agut as an indication that Djokovic would only focus his energies on the Grand Slam tournaments, he ultimately did not care about everyday life on the tour. But Djokovic did not want to ignore the failure so generously: “I somehow felt as if I had rusted,” he said, “losing always hurts. And you ask yourself questions that you didn't ask yourself beforehand. ”The question also whether the climax of your own dominance may be over again.