May 27th 2024.
Novak Djokovic was spotted exiting Rafael Nadal's match against Alexander Zverev at the French Open on Monday, leaving many fans and spectators curious about his sudden departure. The world No.1 Serbian was among the crowd at Philippe-Chatrier, alongside other famous faces such as fellow tennis stars Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek, and Manchester City's Rodri. The atmosphere was buzzing with excitement and anticipation, as many believed this could potentially be Nadal's last match at Roland-Garros before he retires.
Nadal, who has won a record-breaking 14 French Open men's singles titles, was met with immense support and love from the crowd, in stark contrast to the reception Djokovic received at last year's Wimbledon final. The Serbian was met with loud boos and jeers, causing some tension between him and the spectators. Despite his own success and dominance at the grass-court Grand Slam, Djokovic does not seem to have the same level of adoration and support as his fellow tennis legend.
It's possible that Djokovic grew tired of the overwhelming affection for Nadal, leading to his decision to leave the court after just the second set. The video of him walking out was shared on social media, sparking speculation and curiosity among fans. Tennis journalist Jose Morgado even posted about it, noting that Djokovic and Swiatek left after the 2nd set, but Carlos Alcaraz stayed on with his father and agent.
Djokovic himself plays his first-round match at the French Open on Tuesday against French wildcard Pierre-Hugues Herbert. As a 24-time Grand Slam champion, he is expected to perform well, but his recent form has been less than impressive. When asked about his chances of defending his title, Djokovic remained coy and hesitant, stating that it's tough to talk about and that his expectations are subjective. He also mentioned feeling a bit embarrassed about voicing his expectations, as anything less than a title is not satisfactory for him.
Many may view his statements as arrogant, but Djokovic believes that his career speaks for itself and that his drive to continue playing at the highest level is to make more history and win the biggest titles, including Paris. While his hopes and goals remain the same, he understands the need to lower his expectations and focus on the present moment.
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