In search of redemption, and incidentally a 21st Grand Slam title to equal Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic left Roland-Garros in the quarter-finals.
Blame it on the Spaniard, winner in four sets and 4:13 of play. Blame it, too, on the Serb himself, and his attitude, according to his coach.
"Rafa's energy was incredible, and it's as if Novak didn't believe in it enough," said Goran Ivanisevic to Tennis Majors.
"What would have happened if he had won the fourth set, no one knows," he continues, referring to his protege's two set points.
Maybe it would have been different, maybe not, but I still don't understand the body language and the lack of energy.
Novak had too many ups and downs, while Rafa was consistent and he absolutely deserved to win this match.
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“I had warned him (…) that the start of the match could be decisive, but again, a bad start… And then, after the turnaround in the second set, the way he played the third set, it's incomprehensible.
It was as if he lacked energy, as if he didn't believe enough that he could win.
You can't afford that against Rafa because it's his tournament.
“A good slap, and it starts again at Wimbledon?
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Sport
Tennis
Roland Garros 2022
Novak Djokovic
Rafael Nadal