Djokovic admits ‘personal issues’ at Wimbledon Wade’s cousin killed
The world No 1 has confronted rumours about his marriage, reports Barry Flatman. Briefs
Novak Djokovic arrived at the US Open still far from convinced that the pained left wrist that contributed to his first-round exit at the Olympic Games is sufficiently durable to last the fortnight here in New York.
However, for the first time, he admitted that personal issues, rather than injury, were the reason for his surprise third-round defeat at Wimbledon in July.
Djokovic’s title defence at the All England Club was ended by Sam Querrey, the American who was seeded 28th at SW19, and the defeat led to a flurry of rumours that all was not well in the world No 1’s marriage.
Rather than console her husband back at their Monte Carlo home, Djokovic’s wife Jelena opted to go on a solo holiday immediately after the championships and after refusing to comment on the situation for almost two months, Djokovic spoke openly yesterday.
‘‘It was nothing physical [that led to his Wimbledon exit],’’ the Serb said. ‘‘It’s not an injury. It was some other things that I was going through privately. I am in a position, like everybody else. We all have private issues and things that are more challenges than issues.
‘‘Things that we have to encounter and overcome in order to evolve as a human being.
‘‘It happened right there. It was resolved and life is going on like everything else.’’
Any differences between Djokovic and his wife certainly appeared to be resolved a couple of weeks later as the pair were photographed frolicking together in the sea in Marbella.But if his marriage is patched up, Djokovic’s injury, that resulted in him weeping with disappointment as he walked off the court in Rio de Janeiro after losing to Juan Martin del Potro, continues to be a concern.
‘‘The wrist hasn’t been in ideal state for the last three and a half weeks,’’ the 29-year-old admitted. ‘‘I’m doing everything in my power with the medical team to make sure I’m as close to 100 per cent as possible during the course of this tournament. Or at least for the beginning of it.’’
Expanding upon the injury, Djokovic insisted: ‘‘It happened in Rio, just a few days before the start of the tournament and it was the first time I have experienced this in my career. I’ve never had this particular wrist injury before.
‘‘After undergoing certain treatments I’ve got better. I’m just hoping when the tournament starts I’ll be able to get as close to the maximum of executing my backhand shot as possible.’’
Djokovic has long been somebody willing to explore new methods of treatment and this week he has experimented with electrical impulse in a bid to strengthen the wrist.
‘‘There are different methods of healing that I am considering, consulting different medical experts,’’ he said. ‘‘One of them is the electricity treatment that you see. Time is what you really need as an athlete. And with the US Open around the corner, I improvised the best way I can.’’
In complete contrast, Andy Murray, the world No 2, could not be fitter or happier going into the tournament.
A third grand-slam title and a second Olympic gold medal obviously do wonderful things for a player’s belief. Now the general consensus of opinion around New York’s Flushing Meadows is that with Ivan Lendl back in his corner and his game in pristine condition, Murray is on course for a second US Open title to sit alongside that he won four years ago.
While Djokovic struggled, the Scot went 22 matches without defeat before fatigue got the better of him in last Sunday’s Cincinnati final. After five days to recuperate after losing out to Marin Cilic in the Western and Southern Open final, the Scot appeared back to his sprightly self as he practised on the hard courts and he certainly agrees with the theory that he is producing the best form of his life.
The 29-year-old is not a man given to making false boasts but there was not a glimmer of doubt when he said: ‘‘I think I am playing my best tennis just now.
‘‘Over the last four, five months, it’s not been even close to anything else I had done before. It was way, way better with seven finals in a row. It’s been really good but I still feel like there are some things I can improve upon.
‘‘I’m feeling very positive about my game and my body. Mentally I feel in a good place.’’
Yesterday’s draw was certainly favourable to Murray in his bid to repeat his record of four years ago when he followed up his first Olympic gold in London with a first major.
The second seed will begin against the big-hitting Czech Lukas Rosol, ranked No 82 in the world, who he has beaten in both their previous meetings.
Djokovic’s side, meanwhile, is a potential minefield.
- TIMES Basketball: A cousin of Chicago Bulls star Dwyane Wade has been fatally shot while pushing a baby in a stroller on the city’s South Side. Pastor Edward Jones says 32-year-old Nykea Aldridge was walking to register her children for school Friday after recently relocating. Basketball star Wade posted on Twitter: ‘‘My cousin was killed today in Chicago. Another act of senseless gun violence. 4 kids lost their mom for NO REASON. Unreal.’’ Chicago police say Aldridge was killed when two males walked up and fired shots at a third man but shot Aldridge in her head and an arm. Police say she wasn’t the intended target.