Laura Robson insists there is no need to worry much about Novak Djokovic’s early Doha loss as the former British tennis star noted that the Serb being healthy was a success before also highlighting that the 37-year-old’s main focus is on Grand Slams and not some “small-Middle East tournaments.”
After seeing his very promising Australian Open run being ended by an extremely unfortunate left leg muscle injury, the former world No. 1 returned to action at this week’s ATP 500 event in Doha.
And it wasn’t an impressive return for the two-time Doha winner, who lost 6-7 (4) 2-6 to Matteo Berrettini in the first round.
For Djokovic, it was his first-ever loss to the Italian – he previously held a perfect 4-0 head-to-head record.
Considering how the Serb’s 2024 season, his critics were quick to use his disappointing Doha run as an argument for their claims that he is done.
Robson: Djokovic wants a Slam No. 25 rather than a small ATP event in the Middle East
Sharing her thoughts on the concerns regarding the 37-year-old’s early Doha exit, the former player-turned-analyst started by mentioning that seeing him healthy was “the main positive.”
“So just at his age, to be able to rebound as quickly as he has, I think is a huge positive sign. I don’t know that he is overly bothered about losing early in Doha when you consider all the tournaments that he’s won and all his accolades in his career,” the former WTA No. 27 told Eurosport
“I don’t know that he’ll take much time to get over this one. So I imagine he’s spoken about it in the past, that he really wants to focus on the fact that he wants to get to 25, and that’s the big goal for this year rather than a small ATP event in the Middle East.”
Following his loss to Berrettini, Djokovic confirmed that he wasn’t hampered by anything but simply had a bad day at the office.
In early March, the current world No. 7 will try to bounce back at the Masters events in Indian Wells and Miami.
Tennis World USA