Former WTA's world number one, Justine Henin, is a huge admirer of Novak Djokovic and was quite worried after his most recent outing in Monte Carlo.
Djokovic hasn't been playing at a very high level this year, at least compared to what we've gotten used to from him in the past. He knows it, and many others know it, including his peers, which Casper Ruud said out loud after beating him in Monte-Carlo.
It's something he'll have to figure out quickly because there is not a lot of time left until Roland Garros, and that's going to be the start of a really busy summer that also includes Wimbledon and the Olympic Games, which will be played on the Roland Garros courts.
Former player Justine Henin has always been a huge admirer of Djokovic, but she's a bit worried after seeing how this year has unfolded so far, including the recently concluded Monte-Carlo Masters.
"It’s always a little surprising, almost disturbing, to see him in this state, but he needs this volume. He has had very little pace since the start of the year and on this surface, [he] will draw a lot more from his reserves, the rallies are longer."
"And apparently, with the temperature associated with the surface, that’s a lot for players to manage. He is not at his best level but he is winning matches, gaining confidence. And we saw that this (reaching the semi-finals) really gave him a smile again."
Henin trusts that Djokovic will figure it out, which can be seen in how she concludes her opinions, but it's not as easy as it sounds. Djokovic might improve in the coming weeks, but tennis is fluid, and other players are working hard every day as well.
Will he improve to be better than players like Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner? That's the million-dollar question.
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