Tracy Austin finds it “insane” that Novak Djokovic hasn’t but received a title this 12 months however is refusing to make any statements relating to Novak Djokovic’s motivation, saying that the 37-year-old Serb is the one one who can present a definitive reply on the place he’s mentally in the mean time.
Though Djokovic managed to succeed in the Wimbledon ultimate only a month after present process knee surgical procedure, some felt that he was nonetheless taking part in on the identical degree as earlier this 12 months. And after Djokovic suffered a three-set defeat to Carlos Alcaraz within the Wimbledon ultimate, some critics tried to make use of that as a transparent proof that the file 24-time Grand Slam champion was not anymore the identical participant.
Heading into the Paris Olympics, Djokovic is simply 23-7 in 2024 and whereas he’s thought-about among the many contenders for the gold medal, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner are considered the 2 high favorites to win all of it in Paris.
“At 37, he’s the one one who can understand how full his fuel tank is and the way motivated he’s. He hasn’t received a title this 12 months, which is insane, however I believe he has solely performed seven tournaments, so it’s positively a lighter schedule as a result of he is aware of at his age, perhaps he desires to spend extra time together with his children and doesn’t wish to check his physique an excessive amount of,” two-time US Open champion Austin mentioned on Tennis Channel’s Inside In podcast.
Austin: We won’t know what Djokovic is feeling
All through a really profitable 2023 season, Djokovic was confidently shutting down any retirement claims as on quite a few events final 12 months he urged that there was no want for him to stroll away from tennis so long as somebody does not substitute him. However this 12 months, Djokovic is in a totally completely different state of affairs and him coming into August with out a title received this 12 months is one thing that definitely hardly anybody anticipated to see.
Nevertheless, the 37-year-old Serb hasn’t made any indications in latest instances that he’s eager about retirement. And former world No. 1 Austin says nobody other than Djokovic has the solutions to a number of the questions which have been requested over the past a number of months.
“I can’t reply that. We don’t know what these guys are feeling. The love of the sport and the love of the game and the way in which they’ve been in a position to handle their our bodies higher than others [in] previous a long time, I’m going to say play so long as we wish, we love to observe you,” Austin added.
Djokovic appears to be like like he desires it however he’s simply not managing to get it carried out
Firstly of the season, Djokovic was having one other deep Australian Open earlier than he obtained dominated by Jannik Sinner within the semifinal. At this previous Wimbledon, Djokovic reached his tenth ultimate on the match, solely to see Alcaraz oust him 6-2 6-2 7-6 (4).
After the match, Djokovic just about overtly admitted that he stood no probability towards Alcaraz.
“The best way I felt on the court docket at this time towards him, I used to be inferior on the court docket. He was a greater participant. That’s it. He performed each single shot higher than I did. I don’t suppose I might’ve carried out far more… he wasn’t permitting me to have free factors on my serve,” Djokovic mentioned.
“He performed with a whole lot of selection. I’ve by no means seen him serve that approach. 136. I’ve by no means seen him serve that quick. He should’ve had a very good serving follow day yesterday. He actually outplayed me… he was higher than me in each side of the sport.”
In the identical presser, Djokovic confessed that he was not on the identical degree as Alcaraz and Sinner.
“With the ability to attain the ultimate of Wimbledon provides an amazing confidence increase. However I additionally really feel like in a matchup at this time towards the very best participant on this planet proper now for positive, apart from Jannik, each of them are the very best this 12 months by far… I really feel like I’m not at that degree,” Djokovic mentioned.
“With a purpose to actually have an opportunity to beat these guys within the Grand Slam latter phases or Olympics, I’m gonna must play significantly better than I did at this time and really feel significantly better than I did at this time. It’s not one thing I haven’t skilled earlier than in my life.. within the face of adversity, usually I rise, be taught, & get stronger. That’s what I’m going to do.”
Judging by Djokovic’s phrases from Wimbledon, he nonetheless in all probability desires to get pleasure from huge success however Alcaraz and Sinner are the 2 gamers which are standing in his approach.