Novak Djokovic He left the Monte Carlo ATP Masters 1000 tournament worried. “I ran out of gas completely, and it’s something I’ll have to talk about with my team,” he said after physically melting down in the third set that led to the defeat against the Spaniard. Alexander Davidovich 6-3, 67 (5) and 6-1 in three hours of the second round match.
It was the return of the world number one to the competition after having played only this course the Dubai ATPwhere he lost in the quarterfinals against the Czech Jiri Vesely.
The restrictions due to the pandemic led to his deportation from Australia and in the impossibility of competing in Indian Wells y Miami by not wanting to be vaccinated against covid. The limitations are being eliminated, or lowered, in European territory, opening the way for him on the clay court tour, which will continue next week in his tournament, the Belgrade ATP 250.
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According to his coach, the Croatian Goran Ivanisevicwho has been left alone after a new departure from the Slovakian Marian Vajda of the ‘Nole’ team, there are circumstances that explain the sinking of his pupil. “He did not feel well before coming here. He was sick. Let’s say that he is not one hundred percent fit to compete,” he explained in an interview with Ubitennis. Although he did not detract from Davidovich, remembering that “starting on the ground, after having played only three games so far this year, is complicated”
To the physical setback, of which he does not give details, the uncertainty of how the pandemic would progress would be added. “Three weeks ago he was not allowed to play in Montecarlo. France opened the option and he was allowed to play. And it’s difficult mentally”, acknowledges the coach, former champion of Wimbledon.
“You can’t prepare as you’d like and then he got sick. But he’ll be fine at Roland Garroshe has to play a couple more tournaments and he will be ready,” he says.
Remember, as Djokovic, 34, had already underlined, that it is always difficult for him to start on clay. That he already had a hesitant start in 2021 but then he made amends by reaching the final of Roma and succeeding in Roland Garros for the second time.
On the decision not to get vaccinated, Ivanisevic recounts in Ubitennis that “it is his life, his decision. I respect his decision, his family. He said that he would really risk his career. I even love him more for that because he stands firm in what he says. He is the only person in the world who speaks his mind. Hopefully this pandemic stops. I hope the United States opens and I can play the US Open in September.”
