Novak Djokovic Told That 'Tennis Death Will Await Him' Amid Injury Struggles
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Novak Djokovic might still be motivated to compete, but his former opponent, Dmitry Tursunov, thinks there's not much more that the Serbian could achieve.
Djokovic is not the youngest anymore, and that's something he's well aware of. The 37-year-old player has won only one title since the end of the 2023 season, and staying fit seems to be more of a struggle for him now.
Although Djokovic denied any rumors of being injured after the Qatar Open, he has struggled with his body more in recent years than he did in the past.
Only a couple of years ago, the Serbian player was praised for how incredibly well he managed to stay in shape, but it seems that time has caught up with him as well, and now, those who are doubting him are starting to appear more and more.
One of them seems to be Dmitry Tursunov. The former Russian player didn't seem to believe in the capabilities of the current ATP World No. 7 player during a recent interview.
Tursunov, who peaked as the ATP World No. 20, spoke to the Serbian publication Sportklub ahead of the 2025 Indian Wells Open. The former coach of the likes of Emma Raducanu and Belinda Bencic said that Djokovic might not be able to enjoy much more success in tennis.
"His own body is now his greatest opponent. No matter how he plans to cheat time, 'tennis death' will await him. Of course, he still has the motivation to play at the highest level, but in tennis you lose the feeling of immortality much faster than in other sports. Previous achievements are quickly forgotten."
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Surprisingly, it was Tursunov who previously spoke about Djokovic's incredible diet, saying that his diet, in combination with his great shape, made him very difficult to beat.
That, however, was more than a year ago, and it seems that Tursunov changed his mind. Now, the Russian player thought that Djokovic could lose in the third round of the 2025 Indian Wells Open against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, but the Spaniard lost in the first round.
"Alejandro Davidovich Fokina could make a splash against Novak, having already defeated him in Monte Carlo in 2022. Djokovic is in a very difficult situation, his chances are slim if he faces Carlos Alcaraz."
The 24-time Grand Slam champion will have a chance to prove Tursunov, who he beat in their only meeting in 2008, wrong. Djokovic will start his campaign at the 2025 Indian Wells Open against Botic van de Zandschulp.
