Only 12 months back, at the very place in Paris, Novak Djokovic completed a Career Slam and “Novak Slam” – holding all four Slams together. Now, the Serb has no major title to defend as he crashed out of the French Open on Wednesday, sparking fresh fears over his appetite for the sport he once dominated.
The world number two slumped to a stunning 7-6 (7/5), 6-3, 6-0 quarter-final loss to Dominic Thiem for his earliest exit in Paris in seven years. It was his first straight-sets loss at a major and his first 6-0 “bagel” at a Slam since the 2005 US Open. The defeat will see him slip out of the world’s top two for the first time in six years – a massive slump for the a player of his stature.
While Djokovic insisted he still has the hunger to regain his status as the best player in the world, there were speculations, reasoning and analysis all over Twitter about what exactly is wrong with the former world No 1.
Djokovic was honest, reflective, philosophical in press. Knows he’s down, believes he can return to top. Didn’t rule out a break. #RG17 pic.twitter.com/SZBc1j4Gln
— Douglas Robson (@dougrobson) June 7, 2017
"Everything was kinda decided in the first set",Djokovic (not sounding Djokovic)."I'm not playing close to my best and everyone knows that".
— Carole Bouchard (@carole_bouchard) June 7, 2017
There were talks about him“tanking” on purpose
'It looks right now as if Djokovic doesn't want to be on the court. This is tank city.' - John McEnroe on @Eurosport_UK
— DavidLaw (@DavidLawTennis) June 7, 2017
That was a tank job if I ever saw one from #Djokovic at today's #FrenchOpen . That was a disgrace to the game of #tennis Congrats to #Thiem
— Austin J. (@seriesofdreams4) June 7, 2017
#RG17 Did Djokovic just tank the last 4 games. Never saw him give up like that.
— Michael Gaynor (@maxsea) June 7, 2017
Never thought I'd ever see a match where #Djokovic 🎾 would tank an entire set. What a meltdown.#RolandGarros@TennisChannel
— AnthonyCFA (@tonycfa) June 7, 2017
How to tank a Grand Slam Quarterfinal 101 by Novak Djokovic.
— Corpie (@corpiebets) June 7, 2017
Agassi was mentioned repeatedly
Djokovic talked openly post defeat. But you do wonder if the very part time nature of Agassi deal could end up a problem, not solution.
— Mike Dickson (@Mike_Dickson_DM) June 7, 2017
I'm thinking this is one and done for the Agassi-Djokovic partnership.
— James Rogers (@ElliottJMR) June 7, 2017
Agassi fell to #141 in the world before he won 5 more slams but you would think Djokovic should retire at #3 by ppl's reaction 🤣
— 🐊 (@UltimateTennis_) June 7, 2017
There were questions raised on his personal life
Djokovic - what's going on there? Not doping (anymore) perhaps? Problems in his personal life? Extraordinary turn around.
— Si Hawkes (@SiHawkes) June 7, 2017
I feel that Djoković is so happy in his personal life, that he just doesn't care that much about tennis anymore. Breaks my heart 😔
— Nataša (@Natasa84) June 2, 2017
.....me thinks djokovic has already given up. And Jelena is not having it.
— Kelechi (@Kele_Sports) June 7, 2017
Dominic Thiem stuns meek defending champion Novak Djokovic at French Open; easy to get distracted when you have a family now.
— Vaughan Campbell (@Bornfree1953) June 8, 2017