Novak Djokovic sets off alarm bells in Serbian media as tennis star prepares for Wimbledon clash

Concerns Raised About Novak Djokovic’s Fitness at Wimbledon: What You Need to Know

As Novak Djokovic progresses through the early rounds at Wimbledon, Serbian media outlets have expressed growing concerns regarding his physical condition. Despite being the sixth seed and a formidable 24-time Grand Slam champion, observers from Djokovic’s home country are apprehensive about his fitness levels.

Serbian news source Blic has been closely monitoring Djokovic’s behavior during changeovers at this year’s Championships. They have noted that the 38-year-old tennis star appears to be experiencing breathing difficulties, particularly during specific stretching routines between games.

Signs of Distress During Matches

These worries intensified after Djokovic required medical assistance during his opening match against Alexandre Muller. Blic highlighted Djokovic’s use of full-body stretching positions during breaks, including a deep squat with his hands behind his head, which they interpret as part of a breathing routine. Observers believe these movements could indicate that he is struggling to breathe as freely as he usually would.

In addition, Blic reported that Djokovic faced "significant problems" at the start of the third set against Muller, which led to a medical timeout. Despite these physical challenges, Djokovic’s performance on the court has remained impressive. He did encounter a minor setback, losing the second set to Muller in a tiebreak, but he bounced back to win the next two sets convincingly.

Dominance in the Second Round

Djokovic’s second-round match against Dan Evans showcased his skill, culminating in a dominant victory with scores of 6-3, 6-2, 6-0 on Centre Court. While there are concerns about potential breathing and muscle issues affecting the former world No. 1, they have not visibly impacted his performance so far.

Djokovic Reassures Fans About His Health

In response to the growing speculation about his health, Djokovic has sought to calm his fans. After his win over Evans, he remarked, "Last year, particularly in the early rounds, I was still doubting whether my knee would hold up or if I could move as freely as I wanted." He highlighted the positive shift in his physical condition this year, stating, "This year, I’m not thinking about the knee, nor do I have any other major physical issues to contend with. Of course, there are always minor things to address, but overall, my body is in very good shape."

Conclusion

While concerns about Novak Djokovic’s physical condition at Wimbledon have been raised, his performance on the court continues to impress. As he advances further in the tournament, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how he manages both his health and his game.