Annabel Croft admits the pressure of what Novak Djokovic is trying to achieve by winning a landmark 100th ATP Tour title and record 25th Grand Slam is getting harder and harder.
Djokovic is already out of the Italian Open in Rome next week following a three-match losing streak, having crashed out of the Madrid Open following defeat by Matteo Arnaldi.
After defeat by Arnaldi, 37-year-old Djokovic said he had to adapt to a “new reality” where he’s just happy to win “a match or two”.
He faces arriving at the French Open without having won a match on clay since his emotional victory over Carlos Alcaraz last summer in the Olympic final.
Highlights of Djokovic’s match with Matteo Arnaldi in the second round of the Madrid Open
Djokovic has played a fuller schedule than last season, when his bid for a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title fell short, but it has not helped him find any consistent form, with the world No 5 losing his opening match in four of his last five tournaments.
Highlights from Djokovic’s clash against Alejandro Tabilo at the Monte-Carlo Masters
Speaking to Sky Sports Tennis, former British No 1 Croft said: “His total focus is on adding to that Grand Slam tally. He wants to move above Margaret Court [24 Grand Slam titles]; he wants to become the greatest tennis player, but it’s getting harder and harder, and actually, I always feel like he’s just gone a bit flat on the court as well.
“He just can’t find it, he can’t find that winning formula. He didn’t win a major last year, which was extraordinary, but all four majors were split between Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, and actually, when I look at his results, he’s had some extraordinary losses to very low-ranked players – to Alejandro Tabilo [in Monte-Carlo] and Matteo Arnaldi here. Lots of different players who he wouldn’t normally lose to, so he’s definitely losing confidence.
“The last great match that I think he played was against Alcaraz in Australia [Djokovic won in four sets to reach the semi-finals].
“It was absolutely phenomenal but then he had to pull out after that epic tie-break first set against [Alexander] Zverev, and he hasn’t been the same since, so I don’t quite know what’s going on, whether there’s distractions, or he’s just not happy, or he’s lost confidence, but whatever’s happening, he’s not looking in great shape heading towards the French Open, and we know he’s now pulled out of Rome.”
“I think he’s not in great shape, so I don’t know if he can sort it out ahead of the French Open.”
Is motivation a major factor for Djokovic?
Djokovic reveals what he has been working on with coach Andy Murray ahead of the Madrid Open…
The Serbian has said his priority working with Andy Murray as his coach is to peak for the French Open and Wimbledon.
Djokovic began working with his long-time rival, who retired from playing in August, on a trial basis at January’s Australian Open.
Djokovic still has hopes of achieving his 100th tour-level title to join Jimmy Connors (109) and Roger Federer (103) in the history books, but admits his priority after performances in recent years is to peak for the Grand Slams.
Colin Fleming said: “I think he’s still got an inner confidence that when the time comes, the ones that he’s really motivated for the most, the Grand Slams now, to get to 25, I still think he thinks he can turn it on. I don’t think he was in the right headspace to compete here [in Madrid]. It was a sort of flat and even the way he took the loss was a bit like, ‘nah, whatever, yeah, on to the next one. I’ve pulled out of Rome, I’ve got to get my head right for Roland-Garros.’
“He doesn’t need to be playing the tennis to beat Alcaraz and Sinner in round one in Paris. He’s the master of the two-week event, building his way in, get through the first few matches, find his feet, find his form, and he’ll still back himself.
“It’s not ideal for him, but I wouldn’t rule him out just yet of getting number 25 and indeed title number 100, but I think the 25 is the big thing for him.”
Croft: Not going to get easier for Djokovic
Highlights of Jakub Mensik against Djokovic in the Miam Open final
With Djokovic turning 38 on May 22, he will be searching for a fourth title at Roland-Garros but won’t be a top-four seed at the second Grand Slam of the year which could lead to a blockbuster quarter-final encounter.
“His body has been tending to break down. He’s 37, I think nearly 38, not going to get any easier,” said Croft. “I think everything is just looking very, very tough and uphill. And I think you mentioned the word aura, but you know, a lot of players now walk onto court thinking, ‘well, I do have a chance against him because he’s not playing great tennis’.
“They would have been panicking about whether they were going to get games on the board and now they all feel they have a chance. And that makes it doubly difficult for him.”
Watch the ATP and WTA Tours, as well as the US Open in New York, live on Sky Sports in 2025 or stream with NOW and the Sky Sports app, giving Sky Sports customers access to over 50 per cent more live sport this year at no extra cost. Find out more here.
This news was originally published on this post .
About the author
2025 Kentucky Derby start time, odds, preview: Journalism favored, plus horse profiles, bet strategies
Imagn Images Imagine if the Super Bowl and Coachella had a baby and dressed it in pastels. The result? The Kentucky Derby, a sporting event unlike any other. It's also a betting event unlike any other, and a few of the top racebooks are offering Kentucky Derby promos for new users.Every year, more than 150,000 people descend upon Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., paying thousands of dollars in airfare, accommodations, transportation and tickets just to watch horses run around a track for two minutes. If that seems outrageous, consider this: They'll do it again next year and the year after that and ...This year, for the 151st Kentucky Derby, storylines abound. The favorite is a powerful colt from California named Journalism. Named by co-owner Aron Wellman, who once was the sports editor of his high school newspaper in Beverly Hills, […]
Today’s best MLB pitcher strikeout props: Back Giants starter against Rockies
Imagen Images Detroit Tigers starter Casey Mize aims for his fifth win in six starts this season when he takes the mound against the struggling Los Angeles Angels on Thursday at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California in the opener of a four-game series. Mize (4-1, 2.12 ERA), who has won back-to-back outings, has allowed fewer than two runs in each of his victories this year and tossed 5 1/3 scoreless innings in his only turn versus the Angels in 2024. Los Angeles hopes to halt its five-game losing streak as it counters with Yusei Kikuchi (0-4, 4.31), who is winless in his last eight starts dating back to last season with the Houston Astros.Sportsbooks have set Kikuchi's total strikeout player prop at 5.5 (Over -152, Under +113), while Mize's is 4.5 (Over -106, Under -123). The SportsLine Projection Model, which simulates […]
Ryan Garcia vs. Rolando Romero fight prediction, odds, start time, where to watch, live stream, date, preview
Getty Images Although the marketing surrounding Friday night's unique boxing event in New York's Times Square has surrounded the build toward an inevitable Ryan Garcia-Devin Haney rematch, the pair of young stars must first pass dangerous tests of their own.Garcia (24-1, 20 KOs), who dropped Haney three times last April en route to an upset win that was changed to a no contest after Garcia failed a postfight drug test, will headline this weekend's "The Ring" event (6 p.m. ET, DAZN PPV -- Buy Now) in a 12-round welterweight bout against slugger Rolando "Rolly" Romero (16-2, 13 KOs). In the co-feature, Haney (31-0, 15 KOs) will meet former unified junior welterweight champion Jose Ramirez (29-2, 18 KOs) in a 144-pound catchweight bout.The last 12 months have been anything but normal for Garcia, the 26-year-old social media sensation, who was suspended for a […]
Casagrande antecipa resposta de Abel Ferreira sobre trocar o Palmeiras pela seleção brasileira
Abel Ferreira, em jogo da Copa do Brasil (Cesar Greco/Palmeiras) Casagrande prevê um desfecho positivo caso Abel Ferreira, de fato, seja procurado pela CBF. Embora o técnico esteja focado no Palmeiras, a oportunidade de assumir o comando da seleção brasileira, segundo o ex-jogador, é irrecusável. Por conta disso, o eventual acerto dependeria apenas da liberação de Leila Pereira. “Ele deixou a letra que tem o contrato e não é uma coisa simples. Para mim, é o seguinte: ‘Eu vou, vai depender só de conversar com a Leila’. Se a seleção quiser mesmo o Abel, vai ligar para a Leila e vai negociar. O Abel vai querer ir.”, disse Casão, no UOL News Esporte. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADE “A chegada dele na seleção brasileira para o ego dele seria uma coisa maravilhosa. Eu acho que ele toparia.”, acrescentou. Casagrande indica prestígio na Europa […]
Kentucky Derby 2025 predictions, betting odds: Win, place, show, trifecta, and superfecta expert picks
Imagn Images Bob Baffert thought he had broken the record for most Kentucky Derby wins by a trainer in 2021 when Medina Spirit crossed the line in first. However, the horse failed post-race drug test, which led to the crown eventually being stripped. Baffert was handed a three-year suspension by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission. Now, Baffert will make his return to Churchill Downs on Saturday for the 2025 Kentucky Derby with two 2025 Kentucky Derby horses in the field to give him a chance at a seventh title again. Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner Citizen Bull drew the rail at last weekend's 2025 Kentucky Derby post draw and is 20-1 in the 2025 Kentucky Derby odds.Wood Memorial winner Rodriguez is priced at 12-1 out of Baffert's stable. Journalism is the 3-1 favorite and is followed in the 2025 Kentucky Derby […]
Can the Liberty repeat as WNBA champions?
With the WNBA season tip off on May 16 fast approaching, the New York Liberty are aiming to become the first team since the L.A. Sparks 23 years ago to defend their title successfully.On the latest episode of “No Offseason,” Zena Keita, Ben Pickman and Sabreena Merchant discussed the Liberty’s chances of repeating this season. Watch the full discussion below.A partial transcript has been edited for clarity and length. The full episode is available on the “No Offseason” feed on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.Keita: Let’s take a step back, look at the bigger picture and dive into the Eastern Conference. In the WNBA, the league is so small that when you think Eastern Conference, you barely think about it that way throughout the season, but this is a nice and easy way for us to organize our thoughts. We’ll start […]
Related
2025 Kentucky Derby start time, odds, preview: Journalism favored, plus horse profiles, bet strategies
Imagn Images Imagine if the Super Bowl and Coachella had a baby and dressed it in pastels. The result? The Kentucky Derby, a sporting event unlike any other. It's also a betting event unlike any other, and a few of the top racebooks are offering Kentucky Derby promos for new users.Every year, more than 150,000 people descend upon Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., paying thousands of dollars in airfare, accommodations, transportation and tickets just to watch horses run around a track for two minutes. If that seems outrageous, consider this: They'll do it again next year and the year after that and ...This year, for the 151st Kentucky Derby, storylines abound. The favorite is a powerful colt from California named Journalism. Named by co-owner Aron Wellman, who once was the sports editor of his high school newspaper in Beverly Hills, […]
Today’s best MLB pitcher strikeout props: Back Giants starter against Rockies
Imagen Images Detroit Tigers starter Casey Mize aims for his fifth win in six starts this season when he takes the mound against the struggling Los Angeles Angels on Thursday at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California in the opener of a four-game series. Mize (4-1, 2.12 ERA), who has won back-to-back outings, has allowed fewer than two runs in each of his victories this year and tossed 5 1/3 scoreless innings in his only turn versus the Angels in 2024. Los Angeles hopes to halt its five-game losing streak as it counters with Yusei Kikuchi (0-4, 4.31), who is winless in his last eight starts dating back to last season with the Houston Astros.Sportsbooks have set Kikuchi's total strikeout player prop at 5.5 (Over -152, Under +113), while Mize's is 4.5 (Over -106, Under -123). The SportsLine Projection Model, which simulates […]
Ryan Garcia vs. Rolando Romero fight prediction, odds, start time, where to watch, live stream, date, preview
Getty Images Although the marketing surrounding Friday night's unique boxing event in New York's Times Square has surrounded the build toward an inevitable Ryan Garcia-Devin Haney rematch, the pair of young stars must first pass dangerous tests of their own.Garcia (24-1, 20 KOs), who dropped Haney three times last April en route to an upset win that was changed to a no contest after Garcia failed a postfight drug test, will headline this weekend's "The Ring" event (6 p.m. ET, DAZN PPV -- Buy Now) in a 12-round welterweight bout against slugger Rolando "Rolly" Romero (16-2, 13 KOs). In the co-feature, Haney (31-0, 15 KOs) will meet former unified junior welterweight champion Jose Ramirez (29-2, 18 KOs) in a 144-pound catchweight bout.The last 12 months have been anything but normal for Garcia, the 26-year-old social media sensation, who was suspended for a […]
Casagrande antecipa resposta de Abel Ferreira sobre trocar o Palmeiras pela seleção brasileira
Abel Ferreira, em jogo da Copa do Brasil (Cesar Greco/Palmeiras) Casagrande prevê um desfecho positivo caso Abel Ferreira, de fato, seja procurado pela CBF. Embora o técnico esteja focado no Palmeiras, a oportunidade de assumir o comando da seleção brasileira, segundo o ex-jogador, é irrecusável. Por conta disso, o eventual acerto dependeria apenas da liberação de Leila Pereira. “Ele deixou a letra que tem o contrato e não é uma coisa simples. Para mim, é o seguinte: ‘Eu vou, vai depender só de conversar com a Leila’. Se a seleção quiser mesmo o Abel, vai ligar para a Leila e vai negociar. O Abel vai querer ir.”, disse Casão, no UOL News Esporte. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADE “A chegada dele na seleção brasileira para o ego dele seria uma coisa maravilhosa. Eu acho que ele toparia.”, acrescentou. Casagrande indica prestígio na Europa […]
Kentucky Derby 2025 predictions, betting odds: Win, place, show, trifecta, and superfecta expert picks
Imagn Images Bob Baffert thought he had broken the record for most Kentucky Derby wins by a trainer in 2021 when Medina Spirit crossed the line in first. However, the horse failed post-race drug test, which led to the crown eventually being stripped. Baffert was handed a three-year suspension by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission. Now, Baffert will make his return to Churchill Downs on Saturday for the 2025 Kentucky Derby with two 2025 Kentucky Derby horses in the field to give him a chance at a seventh title again. Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner Citizen Bull drew the rail at last weekend's 2025 Kentucky Derby post draw and is 20-1 in the 2025 Kentucky Derby odds.Wood Memorial winner Rodriguez is priced at 12-1 out of Baffert's stable. Journalism is the 3-1 favorite and is followed in the 2025 Kentucky Derby […]
Can the Liberty repeat as WNBA champions?
With the WNBA season tip off on May 16 fast approaching, the New York Liberty are aiming to become the first team since the L.A. Sparks 23 years ago to defend their title successfully.On the latest episode of “No Offseason,” Zena Keita, Ben Pickman and Sabreena Merchant discussed the Liberty’s chances of repeating this season. Watch the full discussion below.A partial transcript has been edited for clarity and length. The full episode is available on the “No Offseason” feed on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.Keita: Let’s take a step back, look at the bigger picture and dive into the Eastern Conference. In the WNBA, the league is so small that when you think Eastern Conference, you barely think about it that way throughout the season, but this is a nice and easy way for us to organize our thoughts. We’ll start […]
Be the first to leave a comment