In a recent discussion on Amazon Prime, former tennis player Gilles Muller shared his thoughts on Novak Djokovic’s recent performance, expressing surprise at the Serb’s challenges after his triumph in the Australian Open, where he clinched his 15th Grand Slam title.
Muller began by expressing initial expectations of Djokovic’s continued dominance in the tennis world: “I thought the way that Djokovic was playing at the beginning of the year, he would maybe have another year where he would dominate as he did in the past.” However, Muller noted a shift in Djokovic’s form during tournaments like Indian Wells and Miami, where he seemed to struggle both mentally and in his game.
“I thought he was struggling again in Indian Wells and Miami. He didn’t look very positive to me on the court. Didn’t have positive energy or a positive attitude,” Muller remarked. Drawing parallels to a previous phase in Djokovic’s career, Muller pointed out similarities: “It reminds me of a couple of years back when he had the same thing, he won the French Open in 2016. After that, you always felt he was in a bad mood and wasn’t happy on the court. It seemed like the same way in Indian Wells and Miami.”
Muller’s analysis raised questions about Djokovic’s mindset and whether it would impact his future performances. Muller acknowledged the unpredictability of Djokovic’s trajectory, stating, “So it depends on how he is. If he has a couple more years like last year, I think he’s one that’s going to break the record. But there is a long way to go.”
Shifting the focus to another tennis figure, Diego Schwartzman, participating in the Munich Open, shared insights into his unique relationship with the late Diego Armando Maradona. Schwartzman revealed, “We met many times each other in the past. Sometimes he sends me a text message or calls me for wishing me good luck or congratulating me. D10S shows up on my mobile phone, this is how I have saved it.”
Schwartzman’s connection with Maradona, one of Argentina’s most iconic sports figures, adds a personal touch to his journey in professional tennis. The messages of encouragement and support from Maradona have become a source of inspiration for Schwartzman, reflecting the camaraderie between two Argentine sports stars.
As Muller reflects on Djokovic’s current challenges and Schwartzman cherishes his bond with Maradona, the tennis world continues to witness the intricate interplay between performance, mindset, and personal connections, shaping the narratives of these athletes on and off the court.