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Novak Djokovic will be keen to prove his doubters wrong after questions about a possible “decline” (Image: Getty)
Novak Djokovic will have an opportunity to prove his doubters wrong following a disappointing defeat at the Australian Open. The world No. 1 was ousted by Jannik Sinner in the semi-final, also losing to Alex de Minaur a few weeks earlier at the United Cup. Before this year, Djokovic hadn’t lost a match in Australia since 2018. It has prompted former player Paolo Bertolucci to question whether the 36-year-old’s “decline has begun”.
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Djokovic had a discouraging start to the season by his standards, suffering two defeats in two tournaments. His six-year unbeaten run in Australia came to an end at the hands of De Minaur at the United Cup before Sinner ended his 33-match streak at the Australian Open. Until this year, Djokovic had always gone on to lift the title in Melbourne when he reached the semi-finals.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion did face some setbacks during his trip Down Under, suffering from a wrist injury at the United Cup and an illness during the Australian Open. But his uncharacteristic losses left former pro Bertolucci wondering whether it was the start of a “decline” for Djokovic.
“He is a player who played badly in Australia, as in previous matches. We have not seen him in good condition,” the former world No. 12 told Fanpage.it. “Now, if this is due to a problem that can happen, because it happens that someone doesn’t get his preparation right, or if the decline has begun, we will find out in the American matches between Indian Wells and Miami.
