Paul Annacone says there is one very simple reason why Novak Djokovic drew so much criticism for his losses in early 2025 as Roger Federer’s former coach highlights that a great one usually “makes more news after a loss.”
Entering the Miami Masters, the current world No. 5 had been just 7-4 this season and coming off three consecutive losses. The Serb’s critics and doubters had been feasting on the 37-year-old’s inconsistent results for quite some time but going winless in three consecutive matches also led to some neutrals thinking that the former world No. 1 may finally be losing a step.
Djokovic has since responded by making the Miami Masters final with five consecutive straight-set wins.
“He’s won so much for so many years, like we talked about last night; the great ones tend to make more news when they lose. Because he hasn’t had a huge sample size this year, that’s a lot of news because he hasn’t won very much, for him,” Annacone said on Tennis Channel.
Djokovic is on the verge of joining the 100-title club
If the Serb – who is set to turn 38 in May – beats Jakub Mensik in the Miami final, he will lift a title for the 100th time in his career. He has been seeking to achieve the remarkable feat ever since winning the Paris Olympics last year.
“Of course it is. It is. Ever since I won my 99th, which was the Olympic Games in Paris, I’ve been playing with the prospect of winning the special hundred titles… It’s a great opportunity. Let’s see what happens in two days,” Djokovic admitted when asked if he was thinking about getting to 100 titles.
The former world No. 1 has played against Mensik once and he was made to work hard before completing a 6-7 (4) 6-1 6-1 comeback win in their 2024 Shanghai Masters quarterfinal.
Since 19-year-old Mensik is set to play his first Masters final, nerves could be involved – and if that’s the case – Djokovic will know how to capitalize on that.
Tennis World USA