‘He told us: ‘I’m done”- Novak Djokovic came very close to retiring in 2018, wife Jelena reveals
Current world number one Novak Djokovic came very close to retiring from tennis in 2018 due to his injury struggles, wife Jelena has revealed.
Djokovic was hampered by a persistent elbow injury two years ago. He fell out of the world’s top 20 and seemed to find it tough to adjust his game to cope with the problem.
It appears that he reached his low point at the Sunshine Double in 2018, where he suffered shock defeats at both Indian Wells (to Philipp Kohlschreiber) and the Miami Open (to Roberto Bautista Agut).
“He said to me that he’s quitting and that’s the truth”, Jelena recalled.
“He lost in Miami. It was a terrible loss. And then he just, you know, gathered all of us and said, ‘You know guys, I’m done.’ And I was like, ‘What?’ And he goes like, ‘Yeah.”
“He said, ‘Edoardo (Artaldi, manager of Djokovic), you can speak with my sponsors. I want to be clear with them. I don’t know if I’m stopping for six months, a year or forever.’”
It didn’t take Djokovic long to pick himself up from the disappointment, though.
He rallied just two months later to reach the quarter-finals of the French Open, before winning both Wimbledon and the US Open to finish the season as world number one.
He backed that up with another two Grand Slams (the Australian Open and Wimbledon) in 2019, and also won the only Grand Slam so far in 2020 too.
Follow us on Twitter @T365Official and like our Facebook page.
Latest
-
NewsAndy Murray admits he has been telling himself each match could be his last
After completing a routine 6-3 6-2 victory – his first singles win on home soil in 1084 days – Murray became tearful in his courtside interview.
-
Kevin Palmer‘Each match could be my last’ – Andy Murray holds back the tears after comeback win
Andy Murray did his best to contain the well of tears after his win.
-
NewsAndy Murray overcome by emotion as he makes winning return to Queen’s Club
Murray was playing first singles match on grass since 2018.
-
NewsDan Evans eyes ‘a few more wins’ at Queen’s Club after ending his long wait for a win
It was the British No 1’s first win at the venue since 2014.
-
WimbledonGary Neville unimpressed by double standards that will allow bigger Wimbledon crowds
Decision to allow increased capacity at Wimbledon sparked claims of double standards.
-
Wimbledon‘Fresh, clever, calm’ Novak Djokovic favourite to win Wimbledon and US Open, according to Mats Wilander
Novak Djokovic “looks scary good and motivated”, says Mats Wilander.
-
ATP Tour‘My Wimbledon goals are high, they have to be high, or I wouldn’t be playing,’ says Roger Federer
“The season starts around now,” says Roger Federer.
-
Kevin PalmerExclusive – Ex-British No 1 admits Andy Murray is not in control of his own destiny this summer
Andy Murray will return to the scene of some of his greatest triumphs.
-
WimbledonWimbledon finals to be played in front of capacity stadium after change in guidelines
Wimbledon officials are preparing to welcome bigger than expected crowds.
-
NewsHeather Watson battles past Viktorija Golubic at Birmingham’s Viking Classic
Heather Watson set up a clash against Shuai Zhang.