Gunter Bresnik, probably the most famend tennis coaches on the planet, is of the opinion that Novak Djokovic is presently at a stage the place he’s shedding motivation, primarily because of the lack of competitors with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
Federer hung up his racquet final yr and Nadal is anticipated to do the identical subsequent yr, a results of fixed accidents which have saved the Spaniard out of motion practically 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 finest 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 finest 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 ‘Huge-4,’ one of many largest rivalries males’s tennis has ever seen.
“Novak did not play his finest tennis the entire match. I’ve a principle that rivalries with Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray led to his finest 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 shortage of the identical with Carlos Alcaraz, the 23-time Grand Slam champion appeared fairly lackluster to Bresnik. Alcaraz, alternatively, performed extra freely within the encounter, the Austrian added.
“I’ve all the time 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 gained 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 high 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 high degree once more in his closing 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 Huge-4 had been higher gamers at their prime than Alcaraz is for the time being.
“I’m nonetheless satisfied that Federer, Nadal, Djokovic and possibly Murray performed higher of their prime than Alcaraz right this moment. So sure, Nadal ought to attain that degree once more,” Bresnik stated.
Rafael Nadal was final seen in motion on the Australian Open at 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 through the years? Test right here