END OF AN AURA?
Djok bounced back from Wimbledon defeat but writing on the wall now
WHEN Novak Djokovic lost in the Wimbledon final to Carlos Alcaraz last year, the tennis world declared a generational changing of the guard.
The Serbian superstar responded by winning his next four events, including the US Open, to finish the year as No.1 for a record eighth time.
The same end-of-an era claim was made after his 33-match unbeaten run at the Australian Open was ended by Jannik Sinner in the semi-finals. But since then the male GOAT has skipped Dubai and has now lost to Italian lucky loser Luca Nardi in his second match at Indian Wells.
This was certainly a generation game for 20-year-old Nardi, who still has a poster of his idol Djokovic on his bedroom wall. “This is a miracle,” he said. “One hundred in the world and beating Novak. Crazy. Every night I go to bed I see Novak.”
The winner of a recordequalling 24 Grand Slam singles title had never previously gone out to a lucky loser – Nardi lost to David Goffin in qualifying before replacing an injured player in the main draw – and the Italian, who won 6-4 3-6 6-3, had never beaten a top50 player before this week.
But the Serb admitted Nardi deserved to win before adding: “My level was really bad. He’s having a great day, I’m having a really bad day.”
The words echoed his response to his defeat by Sinner, another Italian, in Melbourne. “I was shocked with my level, in a bad way,” he admitted. “This is one of the worst Grand Slam matches I’ve ever played.”
Djokovic failed to earn a break point against Sinner. And now world No.123 Nardi has become the lowest-ranked player ever to beat him at a Masters 1000 event or a Grand Slam.
Nardi was more aggressive than Djokovic in the deciding set and hit 16 winners to two – and 34 to 17 overall. “I made some terrible unforced errors,” admitted the Serb. “Just quite defensive tennis, and not much on the ball in the third, and that’s it.”
Every week Djokovic extends his record of weeks at world No.1, which currently stands at 416. He admits now his aim is to win more Majors and an elusive Olympic singles gold – and his schedule is built around those targets.
He was unclear whether he will play the second half of the Sunshine Double in Miami later this month.
Djokovic has consistently said he will keep playing only as long as he keeps winning. The French Open promises to be thrilling, with Rafa Nadal, in probably his final Major, Alcaraz and Sinner all contenders.
Djokovic risks losing his air of invincibility, while time has already caught up with retired Roger Federer and soon-to-be retired Nadal and Andy Murray.
“No titles this year,” said Djokovic. “That’s not something I’m used to. It’s part of the sport. You just have to accept it. Some you win; some you lose.
“Hopefully I’ll win some more and still keep going.”