Novak Djokovic’s Saturday match at the Madrid Masters 1000 was typical of his last 18 months: alternately brilliant and sloppy. Matteo Arnaldi was the wrong player to come up against: consistent, determined, and at 24 years old and with no ATP titles, far more to play for than Djokovic.
3-4 down in the first set, Djokovic played a crosscourt backhand and then a precise drop shot down the line. It was brilliantly measured – so good that Djokovic celebrated it with a Salt Bae sprinkling (even though he’s apparently back to a vegan diet). Despite the delightful drop shot, he lost the game, double faulting to give away the break. On the first point of the following game, Djokovic hit a backhand wide (by his standards, hideously wide); played a brilliant backhand winner in another point; then lost the game with another backhand unforced error. Those two games were a neat summary of Djokovic’s recent tennis.
In the second set at 1-1, 15-0, Djokovic was by the baseline when he let a loopy defensive shot go over him, swivelled his head and watched the ball land out. Some fans laughed and Djokovic half-smiled. In the following game, 15-0 down, there was one of the best rallies of the match, which Djokovic won with a jumping backhand winner. He grinned widely, half-stumbling in relaxed celebration. After the following point, finished with a cheeky disguised forehand pass, he was smiling again.
2 games away from defeat with Arnaldi serving at 4-3 in the second set, Djokovic waited for a line call after his brilliant backhand down the line landed narrowly in. It was a big moment in the match, but after no “Out” call came, instead of a trademark roar or marching around the court with his chest pumped out, Djokovic just smiled.
He’s allowed to smile. And these might seem like minor details, but would a 2011, 2015, or even 2023 Djokovic react to any of those points in the same way? He doesn’t play with the same laser focus of the past. He can. Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz to win Olympic gold only last August.
When asked if he’d completed tennis, Djokovic said, “Yes it’s complete because I completed all the achievements with this gold medal, but no because I love this sport. I don’t play only to win the tournaments.” He said similar in a January interview.
What’s he playing for, other than to win tournaments? Likely top of his list is sharing moments with his kids. Djokovic’s customary celebration after winning a match is now to play the air violin, in tribute to his daughter who plays the instrument. (Djokovic plays saxophone and his son plays guitar. “Sometimes our jams last for hours”, Djokovic said last year.) Then there’s breaking free of Margaret Court’s shared record of 24 Slams. And he’s one title away from 100.
But maybe some things are more important. Perhaps he’d rather not play three sets and have extra energy for a family jam. Djokovic has already pretty much completed tennis.
Top image from The Independent / PA Wire.