Novak Djokovic admits his third set performance in the final of the Serbian Open was ‘not a pleasant thing for people to see’ and hints that a recent illness may have been the cause.
The 20-time Grand Slam champion lost 6-2, 6-7(4), 6-0, to Russia’s Andrey Rublev in Sunday’s final. Making the first time he had been bageled on the Tour since the 2020 French Open title match. In the decider, Djokovic was visibly far from his best where he won just seven out of 20 points behind his serve.
Speaking to reporters following his loss to Rublev, Djokovic described his lull on the court in front of his home crowd as a ‘bad feeling.’ Belgrade was only the third tournament he had played in this season after Dubai and Monte Carlo. In his three previous matches at the tournament, he had to come back from a set down to win.
“I didn’t like the feeling towards the end of the second set and basically throughout the third set was similar to what I was experiencing in Monte Carlo. Whether or not it is due to that illness I had or something like that, I don’t know, probably,” said Djokovic.
“At least this bad feeling came in the fourth match rather than the first. Things are progressing slowly but surely. Paris is the big goal and hopefully by Paris I will be fit and ready to play best-of-five (matches).”
It is unclear as to what kind of illness the 34-year-old had been suffering from. Although his coach Goran Ivanisevic confirmed to UbiTennis that the tennis star was ill before the start of the Monte Carlo Open.
Questioned further about the situation, Djokovic said the sudden drop in his form due to how he was feeling is something he had never previously experienced in his career. Admitting that his recovery is taking longer than expected.
“I don’t think it really happened like this anywhere in my career. That’s why I think it is related to the illness that I was going through. It was quite tough physically for me,” he explained.
“I guess the recovery time is taking a bit longer than I expected. I didn’t feel too tired until the end of the second (set).’
“(Then) I came out after a medical timeout and change of clothes to fight for another set. It was not a pleasant thing for people to see on the court and I am very sorry for that but I didn’t want to retire from the match.”
Whilst there are question marks looming over his fitness, Djokovic does see a silver lining to his week in his home country. He now has a win-loss record of 37-7 when it comes to playing Tour matches in Serbia.
“After four three-set battles all I can say is that I’m tired. I’m also pleased that I managed to win these battles prior to this match (the final) because I think that will serve me for the continuation of the clay court season,” Djokovic concluded.
