"He is a man and not a machine": Novak Djokovic shouldn't be expected to win every single Grand Slam says Viktor Troicki

Although he fell to eventual champion Jannik Sinner at the 2024 Australian Open, Novak Djokovic has been backed to bounce back during the rest of the season by Serbia's Davis Cup captain, Viktor Troicki.

Djokovic was riding an undefeated streak at the Melbourne Major, having captured the title last year. However, the Serbian was outplayed by his younger Italian counterpart, who had previously defeated the 36-year old at last year's ATP Finals and Davis Cup.

The former World No.12 spoke on his compatriot's loss to Sinner, stating Djokovic's loss to Sinner at last year's Davis Cup tie did not have too much of an effect on the World No.1 prior to their meeting in Australia.

“I don’t believe it’s that much for him… Sinner was freer in that match in Australia because he won it the last time in Malaga and he pulled off that duel incredibly," said Troicki in an interview with Sportal. “I should say, he was more relieved. But Nole was not, let’s say, convincing from the beginning of the tournament, somehow we haven’t seen his sharpness since the start of the competition.

“I think he can do much better than that and he himself is aware of it. Of course, he is a man and not a machine, we cannot always expect him to win every Grand Slam. Young players are getting better and better, they are freer, they are progressing: Sinner, Alcaraz, Medvedev, the same constant. It is not easy to maintain that continuity, and always in top form. That’s obvious. Unfortunately, he lost this time, but we all know he doesn’t give up and I’m sure he’ll be back soon."