SHOCK EXIT: Novak Djokovic loses to unknown player and says it is HORRIBLE

This was one of the most bizarre tennis press conferences. On Wednesday, Novak Djokovic, winner of 24 Grand Slam titles, lost ‘horribly’ to Alejandro Tabilo at the Monte Carlo ATP Tour event. For those who have watched the Serbian star for decades, the way Novak collapsed was crazy. There was no rhythm, no flow in his game, and fans watched in pain.

After losing the final in Miami, United States, last week, the tennis world has been churning for a few reasons. As it is, when Spanish star Carlos Alcaraz spoke of how pressure was getting to him, eyebrows were raised. Repeatedly being questioned if he can produce repeat performances of 2024, when he won the big Majors, at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, Carlos is nervy. He had beaten Novak in one of the most one-sided finals at the lush green grass courts at SW 19, the famous suburb of London. This time, Carlos has said he is finding it hard to focus. To be repeatedly questioned if he can sustain the form, he spoke of pressure of performance.

Such utterances rarely come from someone who has peaked big time and considered a successor to Rafael Nadal. Be that as it may, the chatter was on Novak. After the loss on Wednesday, Novak apologised profusely to fans, as he if he had committed a sin. He will turn 38 on May 22, and still wants to go full throttle. He works super hard on his fitness and challenges himself in mental toughness as well with unique methods. So, for Novak to lose a match like this in straight sets was weird. The 3-6, 4-6 loss in the first round on clay has set the alarm bells ringing.

“Look, I was hoping, it was not going to happen, but it was quite a high probability I’m going to play this way,” said Novak. He did not stop there. “I don’t know, its horrible. Horrible to play this way and just sorry for all the people that have to witness this,” added Novak. There are two ways of interpreting this, Novak being brutally frank and apologising or realising something could go horribly wrong. It is understandable, against a top player, if Novak struggles, that can be accepted. But to be in troubled waters like this was unusual.

And the suspense, when asked if he knew what went wrong, Novak said: “I don’t know, I don’t have it. I have it and I don’t have it. I don’t really care,” added Novak. This kind of comments have been heard in the past from Goran Ivanisevic, former coach of Novak. The two have split and Novak has asked Andy Murray to help him out. It is not a full coaching contract as such, but Novak respects Andy. They had produced some tough contests in the past.

The worry for Novak, who said last week he is not thinking about retirement is what hit him on Wednesday. Was it just one bad day or is the bulge below his right eye a major health issue. He has a red swelling which looks like a boil or filled with puss. It can be seen on his photographs, though Novak says his vision is fine. The tennis world knows he does not believe too much in medication, though he did undergo a meniscus tear surgery on his knee in 2024 at the French Open.

Novak has belief in divine forces, and how healing is an internal process. For someone who steadfast refused to take vaccines for the Covid 19 virus, he had created a stir. He had faced massive criticism and was lampooned by many. The worst was deportation from Melbourne three years ago, ahead of the Australian Open.

Today, any other player with this kind of a boil below the eye would be getting it treated or seek surgical options. No, not Novak, a player who has been described as a medical marvel for many reasons. The Serbian wants to peak at the French Open in the end of May. Can he do it is the big question.