Novak Djokovic, the world-renowned tennis player, may finally be feeling the weight of his advancing years, according to Rennae Stubbs, the former coach of Serena Williams. Stubbs speculates that the Serbian star’s performance is dwindling, indicating a struggle that seems to be intensifying with time.
The unexpected defeat Djokovic suffered at the hands of Reilly Opelka in the Brisbane International quarterfinal significantly raised eyebrows. However, the 37-year-old tennis star demonstrated his resilience by bouncing back at the Australian Open. Here, he claimed a commanding victory against Carlos Alcaraz, only to be forced to retire in the semifinal against Alexander Zverev due to a sudden hamstring injury.
The former world No. 1 has been renowned for his ability to recover quickly after injuries and periods of inactivity, often securing swift victories in tournaments. However, his recent return to the game in Doha didn’t mirror his past comebacks. The Italian star Matteo Berrettini decisively defeated Djokovic with a score of 7-6 (4) 6-2.
Djokovic’s performance in the past year has been far from his usual standard. He failed to secure a victory in any Tour tournaments and was knocked out in several unexpected defeats, including the recent loss in Doha. Critics have seized this opportunity to argue that the world No. 7 player is losing his edge.
In a recent episode of the Rennae Stubbs Tennis Podcast, Stubbs acknowledged Berrettini’s exceptional performance against Djokovic, stating that the Italian played the match of his life, hitting forehands for winners all over the court. She also pointed out Djokovic’s struggling health, referencing the injuries he has sustained over the past couple of years, specifically to his knee and leg.
She emphasized that while Djokovic has historically had an uncanny ability to recover and bounce back stronger than most, his recent struggles to win matches is becoming a growing concern. Stubbs suggests that age may be a contributing factor, as the physical demands of the game become more challenging and the body responds with increased tension.
Djokovic’s next challenge is the Indian Wells Masters, where he will be aiming to secure his sixth title and his first victory in the desert since 2016. Whether or not Djokovic can defy his critics and prove that age is just a number remains to be seen. However, his ability to overcome adversity has always been a defining aspect of his career, and fans will be eagerly watching to see if he can continue to maintain this reputation.
