“You could see that he wasn’t 100 percent fit,” said the German tennis legend in the Eurosport-Show “Matchball Becker” and explained: “The rallies were too short, the shot selection was also unusual. But the fact that he then gives up after losing the set, that’s the sport. That’s the brutal thing.”
Djoker had already suffered from physical problems in the quarterfinals against Carlos Alcaraz. Becker emphasized again that he was “not quite fit” there: “The question was, did he train? But he was injured and couldn’t finish the game.”
At the press conference after his semi-final appearance, Djokovic shed light on the darkness: a torn muscle fiber in his left thigh made it impossible for him to continue playing, and he wasn’t particularly optimistic even before the match.
As if out of nowhere: Here Djokovic gives up against Zverev
Video credit: Eurosport
Djokovic never again at the Australian Open? That’s what the record champion says
Video credit: Eurosport
Becker: “Difficult moments for Djokovic”
Becker asks himself what will happen next for the 37-year-old Grand Slam record champion and whether he will continue to rely on his new coach Andy Murray – a development that the 57-year-old would expressly welcome.
-“Which tournaments are coming up next? That’s probably what’s going through his head now,” explained Becker.
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At this year’s Australian Open, the veteran had a difficult draw, said the Serb’s former coach: “The match against Alcaraz was top notch. Now the question is really: Quo vadis? Where does the road go?”
Becker’s wish: “He goes forward and continues. But these are difficult moments for Novak Djokovic.”
Semi-final: Zverev wins after Djokovic gives up – highlights
Video credit: Eurosport
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