Novak Djokovic: A Journey Through Vulnerability
Regarded by many as the greatest tennis player of all time, Novak Djokovic has experienced moments of vulnerability over his lengthy career. One particularly notable instance occurred during the 2016 Wimbledon Championships when he faced American Sam Querrey.
The Upset at Wimbledon
Up until that point, Djokovic had been unbeaten in Grand Slam tournaments since mid-2015, claiming victory in four consecutive majors and five out of six overall. His only defeat in that span came in the finals of the 2015 French Open, courtesy of Stan Wawrinka’s stellar performance.
Entering Wimbledon in 2016, Djokovic was positioned as the overwhelming favorite, having secured straightforward victories over James Ward and Adrian Mannarino in the earlier rounds. However, tennis enthusiasts were shocked when he succumbed to Querrey in a stunning upset, with match scores of 6-7, 1-6, 6-3, 6-7. It was a deeply impactful moment in Djokovic’s career, especially given how dominant he had been.
Reflections on the Match
Querrey recounted his experiences from that match on the “Nothing Major Podcast,” following Djokovic’s reflection on the game’s events during his appearance on “Piers Morgan Uncensored.” In the podcast, he referred to Djokovic’s comments about a pivotal rain delay after the third set, where the Serbian remarked, “I was two sets to love down, I won the third set, gained momentum, felt better about being on the court, there was another rain delay, and I went back to the isolated room at Wimbledon on court one.”
Querrey explained that during such rain delays, players wait in small, clinical-looking rooms resembling a doctor’s waiting area, which are located in the tunnel if the delay seems brief.
He also shared another poignant observation regarding Djokovic’s state during the rain delay: “His team comes in, and he’s like, ‘Guys, you have to leave me alone. I want to be by myself. I don’t want to talk… I just stared at the wall for 20 to 30 minutes, and it was the first time I felt empty.'” This highlighted that Djokovic was struggling with something personally impactful, a fact that was unnoticeable to Querrey while they were competing.
Aftermath and Resilience
The repercussions of that match were significant, as Djokovic didn’t achieve another Grand Slam title until he triumphed again at Wimbledon in 2018. The year following Querrey’s upset was especially tough for him, with many deeming 2017 his least successful season as a professional athlete. However, what followed was remarkable resilience as Djokovic returned to form once again.
Controversies and Perspectives
During his interview with Piers Morgan, Djokovic offered numerous intriguing perspectives, including his thoughts on the recent controversy surrounding Jannik Sinner’s doping allegations. While he does not believe Sinner intentionally used performance-enhancing drugs, Djokovic expressed concern regarding the management of the case.
