ATP: Novak Djokovic must practice patience

After leaving Indian Wells, Novak Djokovic has a few days to prepare for his next assignment. She’s waiting in Miami for the former world number one.

The time between the ATP Masters 1000 events in Indian Wells and Miami is not even so long in the ATP calendar, just a few days between the desert final and the first matches in Florida. For most players, however, it is important to keep the form or find a new one after the early rounds in Indian Wells. The ATP-Challenger in Irvine, Texas, where Maximilian Marterer or Philipp Petzschner serve for example this week, is gladly taken.

Novak Djokovic has long since outgrown such events, but a bit of playing practice would be good for the twelve-time Major Winner. He felt like his very first match on the ATP-tour, Djokovic put on record after his bankruptcy against Taro Daniel. 58 mistakes without need of the Serbian underline this assessment. In fact, one thing was particularly noticeable: the impatience with which Djokovic continued the match. Perhaps an expression of a lack of competition hardness, after the long break with the Intermezzo at the Australian Open comprehensible.

However, looking back on Djokovic’s defeats at the last majors (with the exception of 2018) shows that this impatience has always been part of the reason for the defeats of the former Becker protégé: In the final of the US Open 2016 against Stan Wawrinka, for example. Or in the quarter-finals of the French Open last year against Dominic Thiem. One of the great championships of Novak Djokovic was to prepare his opponent until the opportunity for a successful conclusion was particularly favourable. There was nothing against Daniel in Indian Wells.

It remains to be seen whether Jim Courier, who has expressed doubts about Djokovic’s early return to the top of the world, will have to be joined. The current clash on the ATP tour is too confusing, with the exception of Roger Federer, where every top player has to carry his pack. And even the Swiss had to fight hard in Rotterdam, not to mention the final phase of the Melbourne finals.

By the way, Federer believes that Novak Djokovic will see an upswing in the near future. It’s only natural. Juan Martin del Potro shares this assessment:”It’s not easy to cope with this kind of frustration after injury when you’re always the favorite for the tournament win,”said the Argentinean in Indian Wells,”You come here and lose in the first round. That’s not easy. But Novak’s strong enough to handle it, and I love this guy and I want to see him back in the top positions soon.”

And if anyone knows how to make a successful comeback, it’s the Argentinean. Last week del Potro succeeded in Acapulco, leaving Alex de Minuar only three games to start in Indian Wells. Juan Martin del Potro is once again among the top ten players in the world. Novak Djokovic can be expected to do the same in due course. Even if the father of two has to wait a few more days until the next chance in Miami.