‘Novak Djokovic’s head is not very focused in tennis at the moment’, claims former world No 12

Ewan West
Novak Djokovic in action
Novak Djokovic of Serbia reacts during his tennis match

Tennis analyst Paolo Bertolucci has revealed he has been told by Serbian colleagues that Novak Djokovic “is not very focused in tennis” currently after the Serbian’s Miami Open withdrawal. 

The former world No 12 declared that the tennis legend will “probably take some days off and then try to reach his best level for the clay season.”

Djokovic suffered a shock three-set defeat to 20-year-old Italian Luca Nardi — the world No 123 and a lucky loser at the event — in the third round of the 2024 Indian Wells Open earlier this week.

It was then announced on Thursday that Djokovic had decided to skip the second leg of the ‘Sunshine Double’ by withdrawing from the Miami Open, which will be held from March 20-31. The Serbian has not played the ATP Masters 1000 tournament in Miami since 2019.

The 36-year-old started his 2024 season at the United Cup in Perth, where he lost to Alex de Minaur in his first defeat in Australia since 2018. Djokovic was then beaten by eventual champion Jannik Sinner in the semi-finals at the Australian Open — ending his 33-match winning streak at the Melbourne major.

READ MORE: Why Novak Djokovic’s Miami Open move makes sense as he shifts focus to two key goals

While commentating on the Indian Wells Masters for Sky Italia, Bertolucci explained he had been informed that Djokovic is not fully engaged mentally with tennis at present.

“I spoke with some Serbian colleagues. Apparently, at the moment, Djokovic’s head is not very focused in tennis. He will probably take some days off and then try to reach his best level for the clay season,” the Italian said.

Bertolucci assessed last month whether Djokovic’s Australian Open defeat to Sinner was a watershed moment and suggested Indian Wells and Miami would be important for the Serbian legend.

“He is a player who played badly in Australia, as in previous matches. We have never seen him in good condition [this year],” the Italian told Fanpage.

“Now, if this is due to a problem that can happen, because it happens that someone doesn’t get his preparation right, or if the decline has begun, we will find out in the American [tournaments] between Indian Wells and Miami.

“We will see if he has recovered or not. I have no ideas because we would have to have seen the training sessions, understand if he stopped or not and with what intensity. Only those who know that within the team.”

Djokovic is expected to feature next at the Monte Carlo Masters in April — the first big tournament of the European clay-court season.

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