Novak Djokovic was part of an absolute thriller last night at Roland Garros, as he lost in five sets to Joao Fonseca.
However, the match was somewhat typified by shots of the Serbian keeled over, hands on his knees as he gasped for air in between points.
This kind of physical struggle is not what we have become accustomed to with Novak Djokovic, but at 39 years of age, it is to be expected.
Despite this, one pundit has actually pointed out something even more worrying she noticed during the match which goes a step beyond what appeared to be just fatigue.
Worrying Novak Djokovic moment spotted during Roland Garros loss
Chatting live on TNT Sports’ coverage, it was Mary Joe Fernandez who first outlined her worry midway through the match.
After all, before Djokovic had even lost, she pointed out: “Before the game started, Novak looked a little bit wobbly. Looked like he was a bit dizzy. Once the point starts he looks okay, but between the points he doesn’t look great.”
How many Grand Slam titles will Joao Fonseca win in his career?
What a match!
Jim Courier did try to summon an explanation, noting: “For most players I think you could count on that being a real strong indication that something wasn’t quite right.
“But we’ve seen Novak, one of the most coordinated human beings to walk the planet, look like he can’t walk a straight line in a tennis match before and somehow miraculously recovers.
“So I don’t trust his tells, if you will, as much as someone like Jannik Sinner’s at this point in their careers. Would you agree with that?”
However, Fernandez replied: “I do. I think what’s worrying me more is he’s not engaging with his camp that much.”
Jim Courier predicts if Novak Djokovic will ever return to Roland Garros
Later on in that same broadcast, Courier made a rather stark remark.
When discussing whether we might ever see Djokovic play at Roland Garros again, the American pundit was not so confident.
Although brief, his words were poignant, as he stated: “Will we see him back?… unlikely.”
Have we seen the last of Novak Djokovic at Roland Garros? 😢
Given the fact that the 39-year-old played just one clay-court event before this major, and has now exited before the second week at Roland Garros, it’s hard to imagine he will depart feeling confident on this surface.
A master of any conditions, it’s no secret that the dirt demands far more physical effort from the players.
Perhaps it’s time for Djokovic to move on and start really focusing on the Grand Slams he genuinely feels confident of winning that elusive number 25.
