Novak Djokovic’s behavior after Indian Well loss | Sports News

Novak Djokovic’s demeanor after a stunning loss at Indian Wells has sparked issues about his mental well-being, as he was seen “smiling too much” during the post-match occasions.

The 37-year-old Serbian tennis star was ousted within the second spherical by unseeded Botic van de Zandschlup, concluding the match with a 6-2, 3-6, 6-1 scoreline in California this previous Saturday. The defeat represents Djokovic‘s third in a row, approaching the heels of his mid-game retirement in opposition to Alexander Zverev on the Australian Open and his Qatar Open defeat to Matteo Berrettini. And it wasn’t with out the Serbian taking a parting shot on the match.

Alarmingly for the participant who has claimed 24 Grand Slam titles, that is his first run of three consecutive losses in seven years, resulting in questions on his aggressive resilience. His cheerful look within the aftermath of the match, significantly within the press convention, prompted former skilled CoCo Vandeweghe to take a position on Tennis Channel.

“The question arises – is Novak Djokovic getting too used to defeats?” she posed. “It’s a strange feeling for a player when he loses a few times like this, and then you see him in the press conference smiling a little too much, and you wonder – is he not as mentally strong as before.”

Vandeweghe continued, stating that it could be unwise to dismiss “the greatest tennis player of all time” however famous that his current efficiency in Masters tournaments raises some issues. “I wonder if we’re becoming too accustomed to others defeating him at the Masters,” she contemplated.

“We know Novak is concentrating on the Grand Slams, but will we become too complacent and perhaps this will reflect in the Slams as well?”

Despite his cheerful exterior, Djokovic could not conceal his disappointment along with his efficiency, having made 37 unforced errors and solely 16 winners during the match. He additionally criticized the courtroom circumstances after organizers determined to resurface the courts earlier than the match.

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“I regret the level of tennis I played, given how I’ve been practicing lately,” Djokovic confessed to journalists. “Honestly, the difference between the center court and the other courts is vast. The ball bounces higher on the center courts than on some of the highest clay courts. I struggled a lot with that, I just couldn’t find my rhythm.

“Things have modified for me lately, I’m discovering it onerous to play on the stage I need. Every every now and then I’ve a few good tournaments, however principally it is a battle and torment for me. That’s simply how it’s. Nothing can put together you for such a second, you must stay by way of that have and deal with it within the best method doable.”

Djokovic is on the brink of making historical past, being only one Grand Slam win away from surpassing the all-time file of 24, a file he presently holds with Margaret Court. Yet, it has been more than a 12 months since his final main victory – a dry spell he has solely encountered as soon as since 2014.