Novak Djokovic’s suspicions raised after Serb’s behaviour in Indian Wells press conference
Novak Djokovic’s early exit at Indian Wells has sparked concerns about his mental state, with some questioning whether the 37-year-old is losing his competitive edge.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion suffered a shocking second-round defeat to Dutch player Botic van de Zandschulp, who secured a 6-2, 3-6, 6-1 victory over the Serbian. This loss marks Djokovic’s third consecutive defeat, following his Australian Open retirement against Alexander Zverev and his first-round Qatar Open loss to Matteo Berrettini.
It’s the first time in seven years that Djokovic has endured such a losing streak, leading to speculation about whether he can bounce back from this slump.
“Smiling Too Much?” – Questions Raised About Djokovic’s Mental State
After the match, Djokovic appeared unusually cheerful in his post-match press conference, which raised eyebrows among tennis analysts. Former pro CoCo Vandeweghe suggested that this behavior might indicate a shift in Djokovic’s mindset.
“The question arises – is Novak Djokovic getting too used to defeats?” Vandeweghe said on Tennis Channel.
“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?”
While she acknowledged that it would be foolish to write off the greatest tennis player of all time, she warned that Djokovic’s struggles in Masters tournaments could be a red flag for his Grand Slam performances.
“We know that Novak is focusing on the Grand Slams, but are we going to relax too much, and maybe it will be reflected in the Slams as well?” she added.
Djokovic Blames Court Conditions for Struggles
Despite his smiley demeanor, Djokovic didn’t hide his frustration with his performance. He committed 37 unforced errors and managed only 16 winners, an uncharacteristically low number for him.
He also criticized the playing conditions, pointing to the newly relaid court surface as a significant factor in his struggles.
“The difference between the center court and the other courts is immense,” Djokovic said. “The ball is bouncing on the center courts higher than some of the highest clay courts, to be honest. I just struggled a lot with that, couldn’t find the rhythm.”
A Declining Dominance? Djokovic Admits Struggles
Djokovic made a stark admission about his recent form, suggesting that competing at his usual level has become more difficult.
“Things have been different for me in the last few years. I’m struggling to play at the level I want,” he admitted. “I have a few good tournaments every now and then, but mostly it’s a challenge and torture for me.”
This candid revelation is unusual for Djokovic, who has built his career on an unshakable mental fortress. While he remains one Grand Slam away from breaking Margaret Court’s all-time record of 24, it has now been over a year since his last major title—a drought he has experienced only once since 2014.
What’s Next for Djokovic?
Despite his Indian Wells disappointment, Djokovic will quickly shift his focus to the Miami Open, where he will aim to reverse his fortunes. However, with three consecutive losses and growing doubts about his mental and physical state, his quest for a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title now seems more uncertain than ever.
Will Djokovic prove his doubters wrong and return to dominance at the Grand Slams? Or is this the beginning of a decline for one of tennis’ greatest legends? Only time will tell.