Tennis titan Novak Djokovic has disclosed his intention to consult with Andy Murray about their existing coaching collaboration following his unanticipated early exit from the Indian Wells tournament. A shocking turn of events saw the most decorated Grand Slam champion bow out in the initial match to qualifier Botic van de Zandschulp.
Facing off against the Serbian juggernaut, the Dutch underdog demonstrated a surprising level of comfort throughout the majority of the match, ultimately emerging victorious with a 2-6, 6-3, 1-6 scoreline. This marks a concerning pattern for Djokovic, as it is his second successive defeat in the first round, following his straight-sets loss to Matteo Berrettini at the Qatar Open in the previous month.
The recent slump in Djokovic’s performance has sparked speculation about the dynamics of his relationship with former player, now coach, Murray. When probed about his forthcoming actions, Djokovic confirmed, “I’m yet to confer with Andy and the team, but we will sit down and sketch out a plan soon.”
Before his unexpected departure from the Florida tournament, Djokovic hinted that his alliance with Murray could extend further into the year. He expressed his delight when Murray decided to continue their partnership post the Australian Open, adding that they plan to reassess after the Miami stint but are optimistic about continuing till the end of Roland-Garros, and hopefully Wimbledon too.
Djokovic shared that he relishes his camaraderie with Murray, and the process of understanding each other’s game in a new light. He acknowledged Murray’s venture into a novel role and credited his best performance since the Olympics to the work he’s done with Murray.
However, following his defeat to world number 86 Van de Zandschulp, Djokovic joined the ranks of Alexander Zverev and Carlos Alcaraz in criticizing the Indian Wells organizers for the court conditions. He expressed his dissatisfaction with the disparate bounce of the ball on different courts. The 37-year-old veteran admitted, “I’ve had issues adjusting to it, and it has disrupted my rhythm.”
Reflecting on his recent performance, Djokovic conceded that his game has been inconsistent over the last couple of years. While he has had a few good tournaments, most of them have been a struggle. He added, “Nothing can truly prepare you for that moment. All you can do is experience it and try to navigate it in the best possible way.” The tennis world will be eagerly waiting to see how Djokovic rebounds from these recent setbacks.
