Novak Djokovic told he ‘looked like he didn’t try’ as former pro issues brutal French Open verdict
Former world No 11 Sam Querrey has claimed it looked like Novak Djokovic “didn’t try” in his upset loss to Alejandro Tabilo at the Italian Open.
The retired ATP player also declared he would not be surprised if Djokovic suffered an early exit at the French Open as he feels the Serb has never entered the Paris Grand Slam “having such terrible results.”
Djokovic is currently in action at the Geneva Open, where he defeated world No 27 Tallon Griekspoor 7-5, 6-1 in the quarter-finals today. The 37-year-old will face 44th-ranked Tomas Machac in the semi-finals on Friday.
The legendary Serbian is looking to reach his first final of 2024 at the ATP 250 tournament, having had a challenging season to date. Djokovic played only six matches on clay this year prior to Geneva across the Monte Carlo Masters and the Italian Open.
At the Masters 1000 event in Rome, Djokovic struggled badly as he fell to a 2-6, 3-6 third round defeat to Tabilo in just an hour and seven minutes.
Following Geneva, the world No 1 will attempt to defend his title at Roland Garros, where play will begin on Sunday. Djokovic will face French wildcard Pierre-Hugues Herbert in the opening round at the French Open after today’s draw.
During an episode of Racquet’s Rennae Stubbs Tennis Podcast, Querrey gave his assessment of Djokovic’s chances at Roland Garros.
“I don’t know (what’s going on with Djokovic),” the American said. “I watched his match against Tabilo [in Rome]. It looked like he didn’t try. He lost 6-2, 6-3. He wasn’t in the match mentally from the third, fourth game.
“At this point, he’s only concerned about the Grand Slams so I trust him to get it together mentally and be engaged and ready to go at the French Open.
“He’s never come into the French Open in the last 15, 16 years having such terrible results. So, I’m also not surprised if he loses early to, you know, a player like Tabilo.”
Two-time French Open runner-up Alex Corretja recently gave his thoughts on the shape Djokovic is in going into the Paris Major.
“It seems to me that Novak is saving energy for the summer time for Roland Garros, Wimbledon, Olympics, the US Open,” the former world No 2 told Eurosport.
“I think he knows that it’s going to be a very busy time and he’s been just hanging in there, observing his body, you know, his mind.
“Definitely he needs a good first week to get in shape again, to get some rhythm, to get some feeling with the ball and to spend a little bit of time to suffer one of those matches where maybe he doesn’t feel great, but he needs to get through and get that confidence back.
“I’m counting on Novak. Of course he knows how to deal in the Slams. He’s the defending champion. He loves to play there on that Philippe Chatrier. So, I’m not worried about his form.
“I’m more just interested to see how he’s going to deal with the whole situation once he doesn’t feel as great as he wished, but I have no doubt that he’s going to be good.”
