Italian former player Paolo Bertolucci suggests that if Novak Djokovic’s performance decline has indeed commenced, it will become apparent between the Indian Wells and Miami Open tournaments. Despite reaching the semifinals of the Australian Open, Djokovic’s gameplay raised concerns about his form.
Throughout the Australian Open, Djokovic faced challenges, starting with a tough match against 18-year-old Dino Prizmic in the opening round. Despite managing to win, Djokovic’s performance was not at its peak. He regained confidence with a convincing victory over Adrian Mannarino but faced another tough test against Taylor Fritz in the quarterfinals.
However, it was during the semifinal against Jannik Sinner that Djokovic’s vulnerabilities became evident. Despite a spirited comeback in the third set, Djokovic ultimately lost the match, with a significant number of unforced errors contributing to his downfall.
Following the match, speculations about Djokovic’s performance surfaced, prompting discussions about his future in the sport. However, according to Bertolucci, it is premature to draw conclusions about Djokovic’s decline. Only time will tell, and Bertolucci emphasizes that Djokovic’s team holds the key to understanding the reality of his situation.