"The hare is no longer there so perhaps there is a drop in motivation," Fabrice Santoro analyzed recent form of Djokovic
ATP
Fabrice
Santoro believes Novak Djokovic's motivation has waned due to the reduced
rivalry with Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer. The former world No. 17 opined that the Serbian star
lost his drive after surpassing all records and no longer having the intense
competition from the Big-3 that defined his career.
Nole has
faced surprising defeats against lesser-known players on the Tour, including
Luca Nardi in Indian Wells, Alejandro Tabilo at the Rome Open, and Tomas Machac
at the Geneva Open. This is only the second time Djokovic has entered the
French Open without winning any titles earlier in the season.
Santoro on Djokovic's recent performance dip
The former
Italian tennis player shared his views on Prime Video France regarding
Djokovic's decline in performance. In 2023, Djokovic secured three Grand Slam
titles in one of the best seasons of his career at 36 years old.
This
achievement gave him the historic record of 24 Grand Slam titles, surpassing
Rafael Nadal (22 titles) and leaving behind the retired Roger Federer (20
titles). Santoro noted that Djokovic played better when chasing his major
rivals Federer and Nadal: "Novak has always had a hare. He had Roger, he
had Rafa. He was always chasing someone. Where is the hare today? I do not see
it," Fabrice Santoro stated.
"He no
longer really has a guy he's chasing after because he's broken all the records:
the Grand Slams won, the weeks spent as number 1, the Masters 1000, the
face-to-face meetings with Federer, with Nadal and with Jo (Tsonga) too!"
he added.
"The
hare is no longer there so perhaps there is a drop in motivation, or not. In
any case, he will give us the answers in the coming weeks," he said.
"There is a three and a half month block which will be crucial for
him."
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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