OfGuendalina Galdi
Djokovic is eliminated from the ATP in Geneva by Machac: he loses 2-1 and says he is “worried”, while his fans are worried about the return of that tremor in his hand which two years ago he himself explained as a mix of tension and nervousness (no physical problems)
«Of course I’m worried. This year I haven’t played well at all, apart from a few games here and there. Things are what they are, I don’t see myself as the favorite in Paris”. Novak Djokovic, two days after celebrating his 37th birthday, left the ATP 250 in Geneva, eliminated by the Czech Tomas Machac (6-4 0-6 6-1), embittered and almost downsized. He recognized it himself, severe but clear-headed after another performance that left a lasting impression disappointment. Even some worry, in view of Roland Garros. In Paris he will have to defend the title and also the lead in the ATP rankings. How much longer will a Nole like this be able to stay up there?
And while he cares about his tennis and results, his fans didn’t like seeing it tremble on the sidelines.
The obvious trembling However, this is nothing new. In the 2022, at the ATP Finals in Turin, the same episode occurred against Medvedev. And then again in the final against Ruud. Then Djokovic explained that that phenomenon did not depend on any physical problem but was only due to tirednessto the nervousness and to voltage of the match. Sensations that have returned (evident) even now in Geneva.
In short, the defeat against Machac made new and old ghosts appear (and return). And now? «I will try to take the matches one after the other. I didn’t have a good evening and today was tough – Nole admitted again after the elimination in Geneva -. I had horrible feelings during the first part of the match. I don’t want to take any credit away from Tomas, who deserved the victory, but I don’t know what to think of this match. I’d rather forget it. I don’t even know how I managed to win the second set. I was hoping to play more than one game when I came here, and I played three. But I wish I could feel better. Is not beautiful suffer so on the pitch. It’s hard to focus on tennis when you have other things on your mind. I just hope to be ready for Roland Garros.”
May 25, 2024
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