It is not normal to see the showcase of Novak Djokovic empty. Someone who has been dominating in the world for so long Australian Openthe first Grand Slam of the course, and that he has accumulated so many tournaments throughout his sporting career, by the month of March he usually boasts of having already won at least one title.
This is not the case, however, in 2024 for Novak Djokovic. The Serbian tennis player is suffering a somewhat unusual start to the campaign and is still empty-handed after having fallen in the semifinals in Australia and having been the negative surprise in Indian Wells.
He is still the number 1 in the world, but precisely for this reason the debate has already begun about whether we are experiencing the last years of splendor of the Balkan magician. Age does not forgive and despite the fact that last season Nole swept many places, he is now 36 years old and his body is increasingly damaged.
Djokovic performs the conductor’s gestures during the match. REUTERS
Djokovic needs more time to rest and better dose his efforts so as not to overload himself. Precisely that, managing his appearances in the competition, is what they had to do so much Roger Federer as Rafael Nadal as they grew older. The Balearic Islands now take this management to the extreme.
Therefore, with Federer already retired and Nadal presumably living his last active season, the tennis fan wonders if we are facing the last blows of the Big Three that for so long amazed the planet.
Djokovic’s season
Two tournaments (if we take the United Cup out of the equation), zero titles. That is the balance that Novak Djokovic has so far this year. They are discreet numbers in participation and poor in terms of wins considering that the month of April is approaching.
The year didn’t start badly at all. In his fetish tournament, Australian Open, went far although he could not repeat the photo he has taken so many times while lifting the trophy. He beat Prizmic, Popyrin, Etcheverry, Mannarino and Taylor Fritz on his way to the semifinals, a path that was certainly quite benign in terms of rivals.
[El increíble dato de Alcaraz que le convierte en el rey de las finales: supera a Nadal, Djokovic o Borg]
However, when in the semis Jannik Sinner was put in front of him and he had nothing to do. The Italian swept him off the court, with 1-6 and 2-6 in the first two sets, and although Djokovic forced the fourth set, the Italian ended up reaching the final with clarity and deservedness.
That was already a sign that the new batch does not forgive one. In the clash of generations, the 22 years of a Sinner who continues to grow imposed themselves on the 36 of Nole as if warning that everything has an expiration date.
Djokovic regrets an action in his match against Popyrin. EFE
In his next appearance, things got worse for Djokovic’s interests. He considered Indian Wells as a perfect place to take revenge and chase his first title of the season, but after defeating Vukic Already struggling in the first round, he fell in the second against all odds.
An almost unknown Luca Nardi, currently number 96 in the ranking, gave the shock and won in three sets. 20 years of this Italian, who cannot even be said, at least not yet, that he represents a new generation that is breaking him from behind.
His previous years
Concern about the state of fitness Novak Djokovic It comes mainly from the comparison with other previous seasons. Someone so used to winning and being at the top for so long suddenly finds himself in an unusual situation for him.
“It’s true that I don’t have any titles this year. It’s not something I’m used to. I started the season for most of my career with a victory in a Grand Slam or at least in Dubai or any other tournament,” he alleged. Djokovic after his defeat in Indian Wells.
And he continued showing that he is aware of the moment: “It’s okay, it’s part of the sport and you have to accept it. Sometimes you win and other times you lose, so I hope to win more and move forward.”
[Las cuentas de Djokovic en Indian Wells: su lucha con Alcaraz, los 1.100 triunfos y desempatar con Federer]
There are very few seasons that started so badly for Djokovic in his career. In 2022 he did not win until Rome Masters 1,000or in 2018 he did not lift a trophy until he arrived Wimbledon in summer, but they are exceptions that confirm the rule.
Nole has won the Australian Open ten times, the first of them in 2008, which only confirms that the start of his seasons has always been very powerful. And if he didn’t win Melbourne, I did it in Adelaide, Qatar or Dubai.
Now, these numbers and performances by the Serbian at the beginning of the season can begin to be understood as symptoms of exhaustion, of a prodigious career that is beginning to end as has already happened to the other two members of the team. Big Three.
Rafa Nadal and Roger Federer
Surely Djokovic’s story is different from that of the last years of his prime. Rafa Nadal and Roger Federer. Injuries destroyed their respective careers for these two, but in that aspect Nole is living longer and has become more physically healthy.
Nadal’s last years started with many difficulties. 2023 began with his withdrawal from Australia, and the ordeal lasted throughout the season. 2022 was an example of improvement with the victories in Melbourne and Australia to start, and those of Acapulco y Roland Garros to finish, while 2020 and 2021 also offered symptoms of exhaustion.
Nadal and Federer, happy with their game on the European bench Reuters
In the case of Federer, he spent his last two active seasons blank as a result of physical discomfort that prevented him from playing at the highest level. Before he said enough, in 2021 and 2020 he did not lift a single title, something that clearly reflected that he was facing his imminent goodbye.
Now the one that has been empty for several months is Novak Djokovicthe man who continues to be the resistance, with the permission of Rafa Nadal and what he can do in his last season, of the Big Three that has done so much good for tennis and sport.
2024-03-24 11:00:00
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