Novak Djokovic makes ‘weird’ decision ahead of French Open – could it backfire?

Novak Djokovic insisted he didn’t need any more matches to prepare for the French Open after an alarming exit against Chile’s Alejandro Tabilo at the Rome Masters, but now he has dramatically backtracked on those comments after accepting a wild card into the ATP 250 tournament in Geneva next week.

He has actively tried to trim down his tournament schedule in recent years and especially in 2024, when the soon-to-be 37-year-old has made it clear that he is focusing on Grand Slam events, this summer’s Olympic Games and spending more time with his young family.

Yet it is clear that Djokovic was rocked by the inept performance he served up against Tabilo in Rome, as he joined a stellar list of players now playing in Geneva.

ATP 250 events a week before a Grand Slam tend to feature players with lower profiles, but Geneva will welcome Djokovic, Grand Slam finalist Capser Ruud, the American duo Ben Shelton and Taylor Fritz and three-time Grand Slam champion Andy Murray.

Djokovic’s decision to play in Geneva could be a sign of how concerned he is by his form after a turbulent first half of 2024, with former British No 1 Tim Henman admitting he was shocked by the Serbian’s decision to play in Switzerland.

“Those top two names, Djokovic and Ruud, I’m very surprised they are playing the week before Roland Garros,” Henman told Sky Sports Tennis.

“In a Grand Slam, best of five sets, you want to make sure you have your energy levels at 100 per-cent, but they obviously feel like they need more matches.

“Djokovic obviously feels like he needs more matches. From the outside looking in, I don’t necessarily feel like he needs to play more.

“The same the Casper Ruud. He made the final in Monte Carlo, won in Barcelona. It is a surprise, but it shows that these guys are looking for more competition.”

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Former British No 1 Annabel Croft found a word to describe Djokovic’s decision to play in Switzerland, as she joined Henman in expressing her pessimism.

“It is odds, I think it slightly weird that he is playing,” said Croft.

“These top players often use their first few games to play their way in because there is a lot of tennis to play with best-of-five-sets over two weeks. It is a lot of tennis.

“He knows how to win matches, flick a switch and get it done.

“The way that he lost to Tabilo this week, he looked very disengaged with it all. He thought Tabilo would roll over for him.

“He double-faulted on that final point, got booed as he left the court and he went away and thought he needed to be a bit more positive going into the French Open. It is an interesting one.”

Djokovic has played a week before a Grand Slam before, as back in 2017 he entered the grass court event at Eastbourne a week before Wimbledon.

He went on to pull out of Wimbledon with an injury against Tomas Berdych in the quarter-finals, with the pressure of playing extra matches the week before a Slam always a risky plan.

It may be understandable for a player who has not played enough matches in recent months, but Djokovic’s vow not to put his body through the strain of unnecessary matches makes this call all the more surprising.

The move to play next week also banishes the notion that Djokovic is winding down his career, as a player no longer interested in the sport would not be adding extra tournaments to his schedule.

News that Djokovic will play in Geneva came after he underwent tests after he was accidentally hit by a bottle from a fan looking for his autograph in Rome last week.

“I think in the video you saw it very clearly,” said Djokovic after his defeat to Tabilo.

“It was a very unfortunate, unlucky situation for me. It was an accident where that guy leaned over the fence, and the bottle dropped from his rucksack and landed directly on my head.

“It was unexpected obviously. I wasn’t even looking up. Then I felt a very strong hit in the head. That has, yeah, really impacted me a lot. Been through half an hour, an hour of nausea, dizziness, blood, a lot of different things.

“I managed to sleep okay. I had headaches. The next day was pretty fine, so I thought it’s okay. Maybe it is okay. Maybe it’s not.

“I mean, the way I felt on the court today was just completely like a different player entered into my shoes. Just no rhythm, no tempo, no balance whatsoever on any shot.

“It’s a bit concerning. I didn’t do any scans or any tests. Right now, I feel like I should do it, so I will do it and let’s see. Let’s see what’s happening.”

The reality that Djokovic’s woeful performance against Tabilo was not due to any medical issue may have propelled him to the decision that he needs to play more matches before he begins the defence of the French Open title.

Time will tell whether his unexpected appearance in Geneva is a wise move.