Gunter Bresnik, one of the crucial famend tennis coaches on this planet, is of the opinion that Novak Djokovic is at present at a stage the place he’s shedding motivation, primarily as a result of lack of competitors with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
Federer hung up his racquet final yr and Nadal is predicted to do the identical subsequent yr, a results of fixed accidents which have saved the Spaniard out of motion almost all season. Djokovic, nevertheless, has been going robust, profitable a record-breaking twenty third Grand Slam on the French Open earlier this yr.
He additionally reached the ultimate at Wimbledon, solely to fall to World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz in a five-set thriller. Discussing the loss in an interview with Austrian journal Kleine Zeitung, Bresnik emphasised that the Serb didn’t play his greatest tennis the entire match.
As for why, the Austrian, who coached six-time Grand Slam champion Boris Becker within the early Nineties, asserted that it was as a result of he doesn’t have a rivalry with Alcaraz but.
Bresnik was of the opinion that what pushed Djokovic to play his greatest towards the likes of Nadal, Federer and Andy Murray up to now was the joy of the rivalry he had with them. Collectively, the quartet shaped what’s now often called the ‘Large-4,’ one of many greatest rivalries males’s tennis has ever seen.
“Novak did not play his greatest tennis the entire match. I’ve a concept that rivalries with Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray led to his greatest performances. Not solely within the match, but in addition at half time, throughout coaching or getting ready for a match. And that rivalry doesn’t exist with Alcaraz,” Bresnik stated.
Due to the dearth of the identical with Carlos Alcaraz, the 23-time Grand Slam champion appeared moderately lackluster to Bresnik. Alcaraz, alternatively, performed extra freely within the encounter, the Austrian added.
“I’ve at all times stated that Djokovic will lose motivation as soon as there is no such thing as a extra fixed competitors with Nadal and Federer and he has received 23 Grand Slam titles. Alcaraz, alternatively, performed freely and has it simpler towards the older ones as a result of they’re in decline. The branches are excessive, however descending,” Bresnik stated.
Gunter Bresnik expects Rafael Nadal to compete on the prime degree as soon as once more alongside Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz
Gunter Bresnik additional added that Rafael Nadal has each shot at competing on the prime degree once more in his remaining season on tour subsequent yr, even go toe-to-toe towards Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic if such a conflict materializes. Within the Austrian’s opinion, all 4 members of the Large-4 have been higher gamers at their prime than Alcaraz is for the time being.
“I’m nonetheless satisfied that Federer, Nadal, Djokovic and perhaps Murray performed higher of their prime than Alcaraz as we speak. So sure, Nadal ought to attain that degree once more,” Bresnik stated.
Rafael Nadal was final seen in motion on the Australian Open in the beginning of the yr and has been on the sidelines, recovering from an stomach harm, amongst different illnesses.
What’s the foot harm that has troubled Rafael Nadal over time? Verify right here
