"They tried to ruin him, they tried to throw him out of the game": Former doubles partner of Connors believes Djokovic got screwed due to vaccine drama
ATP
The
constant problems that Novak Djokovic faced are said to have affected his
chances of winning Grand Slams, according to Spencer Segura.
Novak
Djokovic shares the record for Grand Slam tournaments in the ATP with 22 each
alongside Rafael Nadal. The Serbian missed the opportunity to participate in
the Australian Open and US Open in 2022, as well as several other tournaments,
due to the regulations of some countries regarding the entry of unvaccinated
individuals, such as the world No. 1.
“Djoker got
screwed out of the game. They made it impossible for him, for some reason. They
tried to throw him out of the game. There’s a lot of politics in that. They
tried to ruin him. Thank god he’s made enough money,” Segura said in a interview
on the Advantage Connors podcast.
Despite the
difficulties, 'Nole' managed to win two out of the three Grand Slam tournaments
he has competed in since the end of the US Open 2021, where he lost to Daniil
Medvedev. The defeat came at the French Open 2022, against the absolute dominator
of the tournament, Rafael Nadal, who has won the Parisian tournament 14 times.
Nevertheless, for Segura, Nole's age may increasingly affect him in major
tournaments:
“When
you’re over 35 years old, you can’t recuperate. You play 3 out of 5, and you
play five tough sets, and you’ve got to play a day later, you’re not
recuperating like the 22-year-old. So, you might win one or two of those, but
you’re not gonna wining three or two.”
“Djokovic’s
the greatest player, I love [his] game. But now he comes back against 3-4 of
these kids, it’s a lot harder than it was two years ago or a year ago. I’m not
counting him out, I’m just saying he’s gotta beat younger guys,” Segura claimed.
The door is
wide open for Novak Djokovic to surpass Nadal in the upcoming French Open, as
the Spanish player has declared that he will not be competing in his cherished
Grand Slam.
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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