Djokovic seeks answers after decline
JUST a year ago, Novak Djokovic arrived at Wimbledon with the world at his feet, but he returns to the All England Club with his career in crisis after an astonishing fall from grace.
Having succeeded in his quest to win the French Open last year, Djokovic appeared poised to join the tennis immortals.
The Serb was the first man since Rod Laver, in 1969, to hold all four grand slam titles at the same time and had won Wimbledon in 2014 and 2015, adding to his 2011 triumph.
When Djokovic strolled onto Court One to face Sam Querrey in the Wimbledon third round, there appeared no end in sight to his reign as the sport’s preeminent force.
But he gave such a curiously lethargic performance that Querrey was able to win the raininterrupted encounter to end the then world No 1’s streak of 30 straight grand slam victories.
It was a shock – and it plunged Djokovic into a tail-spin.
The Serb has lurched from one problem to another this year, losing to world No 117 Denis Istomin in the second round of the Australian Open.
Having parted with coach Boris Becker at the end of last year, he has split with long-time associate Marian Vajda.
Djokovic has also taken to consulting regularly with spiritual adviser Pepe Imaz, a former player who runs a tennis academy in Spain for needy children.
In recent months, Imaz’s influence has been seen in Djokovic’s new habit of forming a heart shape with his hands and gesturing to the crowd after a win.
Unfortunately, those displays of affection have been few and far between.
John McEnroe is concerned Djokovic’s desire to show his softer side has robbed him of the ruthless streak.
Describing the changes as shock therapy, Djokovic hired US legend Andre Agassi as his coach in time for the French Open. But Agassi failed to deliver an immediate improvement.
Djokovic still sees the positives, but until he thrives in the rarified atmosphere at Wimbledon, the doubts will linger.