“Tennis De@th Will Await Him”—Novak Djokovic Hit With Dire Warning as Ex-Russian Pro Sounds the Alarm

Novak Djokovic Dismisses Injury Concerns, Sets Sights on 100th Title at Indian Wells

Novak Djokovic is back in action, confident that his hamstring injury is behind him. Despite a rocky start to the season, including a first-round exit at the Qatar Open, the 24-time Grand Slam champion remains optimistic as he prepares to compete in the prestigious “Sunshine Double” at Indian Wells and Miami for the first time since 2019. However, while Djokovic is determined to make a deep run and edge closer to his 100th career title, not everyone is convinced he can return to his peak form.

Former Russian tennis pro-turned-coach Dmitry Tursunov, who has worked with top players like Aryna Sabalenka and Belinda Bencic, weighed in on Djokovic’s future. In an interview with Sportklub, Tursunov expressed doubts about the Serbian’s longevity in the sport, saying, “His own body is now his greatest opponent. No matter how he plans to cheat time, ‘tennis death’ will await him.”

Djokovic himself acknowledged this reality earlier in the year. Following his Australian Open semifinal retirement against Alexander Zverev due to a hamstring injury sustained in his quarterfinal match against Carlos Alcaraz, he admitted, “This is probably the new reality I have to accept—that my body will probably betray me more often than it has throughout my entire career.”

Tursunov Doubts Djokovic’s Chances Against Alcaraz

While Djokovic remains motivated, Tursunov believes that in tennis, the sense of invincibility fades quickly. “Of course, he still has the motivation to play at the highest level, but in this sport, previous achievements are quickly forgotten,” he remarked.

With Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal retiring last year, Djokovic is the last of the Big Four still competing. The 24-time Grand Slam champion has 99 career titles, but Tursunov isn’t convinced he’ll add to that tally anytime soon. He sees Carlos Alcaraz as Djokovic’s biggest challenge. “Djokovic is in a very difficult situation. His chances are slim if he faces Carlos Alcaraz,” Tursunov stated.

Djokovic enters Indian Wells as the sixth seed and will begin his campaign against Botic van de Zandschulp, whom he leads 1-0 in their head-to-head. Alcaraz’s first opponent has yet to be determined.

Djokovic Clears Up Concerns Over Limping Video

Ahead of Indian Wells, speculation about Djokovic’s fitness intensified when a viral video showed him limping through an airport in Doha. Given his recent injury history, fans feared the worst. However, Djokovic quickly put those concerns to rest.

During his press conference, he explained the incident with a touch of humor: “It was really, yeah, awkward to see that video, because I arrived at the airport and I hit myself really badly as I was walking out. It was very early, I think, 4 or 5 a.m. I was just limping because I hit myself badly in the ankle. That’s all. It was just a hit. It was nothing else. But then people connected it to the injury and thought it was something escalating and coming back.”

Despite the recent drama, Djokovic is eager to take on the Sunshine Double, a challenge he hasn’t attempted in six years. “I’m feeling good. I really look forward to coming to Indian Wells and Miami this year,” he said enthusiastically.

A five-time champion at Indian Wells, Djokovic has a strong history at the tournament, winning his first title in 2008 and securing three consecutive victories from 2014 to 2016. However, this will be his first appearance at the BNP Paribas Open since 2019, when he suffered a shock Round of 32 defeat to Philipp Kohlschreiber.

Now, with a fresh opportunity to reassert his dominance, Djokovic is ready to prove the doubters wrong and chase that elusive 100th career title.