Novak Djokovic’s tennis prowess is beyond question despite a sharp dip in form during the European claycourt swing and the veteran Serb can return to his devastating best again if he wants to, world number two Alexander Zverev has said.
Djokovic turns 38 three days before the French Open, which begins on May 25, and the 24-times Grand Slam winner’s preparations have been far from ideal, with opening losses at Masters tournaments in Monte Carlo and Madrid last month.
After skipping the ongoing Italian Open without giving a reason, Djokovic will make one final attempt to rediscover his rhythm at next week’s Geneva Open after accepting a wild card and Zverev warned against writing off his friend completely.
“Maybe he didn’t play up to his standard or his liking, but who does sometimes? If you’re a top guy and you’re not winning the tournament, you always go home a little bit upset,” Zverev told reporters in Rome on Sunday.
“I believe once he finds his game, he’s still one of the most dangerous players in the world.”
World number six Djokovic, who is chasing his 100th tour-level title, has struggled to assert his dominance after winning three out of the four Grand Slams in 2023.
However, he stepped up his game at the Paris Olympics last year to win gold, outclassing four-times major champion Carlos Alcaraz in the final at Roland Garros.
“There’s no question about his ability at all,” said Zverev, who advanced to this year’s Australian Open final after Djokovic retired injured midway through their clash.
“It’s more whether he still wants to put in the work. That’s a question to him. His tennis ability is above everyone else’s.”
Second seed Zverev, who beat Lithuanian qualifier Vilius Gaubas 6-4 6-0 in Rome on Sunday, meets Frenchman Arthur Fils next in the third round.
Zverev says out-of-form Djokovic can become dangerous again
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Zverev says out-of-form Djokovic can become dangerous again
- “There’s no question about his ability at all,” said Zverev, who advanced to this year’s Australian Open final after Djokovic retired injured midway through their clash
Warriorz beat Knight Riders on final delivery in low-scoring thriller to remain in ILT20 playoff hunt
- Chasing 135, and needing 12 from the final over, Sharjah claim victory thanks largely to unbeaten 42 from James Rew and a supporting knock of 28 by Sikandar Raza
ABU DHABI: Sharjah Warriorz held their nerve in a tense, low-scoring encounter to secure a dramatic four-wicket victory over Abu Dhabi Knight Riders at the Zayed Cricket Stadium on Monday, a win that keeps their International League T20 playoff hopes alive.
Chasing just 135 for victory, the Warriorz reached the target off the final ball, thanks in large part to a composed, unbeaten 42 from James Rew and a crucial supporting knock of 28 from Sikandar Raza.
Sharjah are still at the foot of the table in sixth place but the victory left them on six points with two matches remaining, level with the Knight Riders, who have played one game more, and Gulf Giants. With Dubai Capitals just two points ahead in third place, it sets up a tight race for the remaining playoff places.
A blistering opening bowling spell from Taskin Ahmed and Wasim Akram put the Knight Riders on the back foot from the start after they were asked to bat first. The pair ripped through the top order to leave Abu Dhabi reeling on 10/4 inside four overs.
Ahmed struck in the opening over to dismiss Phil Salt before Akram removed Brandon McMullen LBW. Ahmed then claimed the wicket of Alex Hales, and Akram followed it up with a historic wicket maiden in the fourth over, trapping Liam Livingstone for a duck. It was the first wicket maiden by a UAE player in the four-season history of the competition.
Sherfane Rutherford attempted to stabilize the innings with a counterattacking 44 off 36 balls, and Alishan Sharafu added 19, but scoring remained difficult as the Warriorz bowlers tightened their grip once again. Raza broke Rutherford and Sharafu’s 38-run stand, and despite a late partnership of 52 between Rutherford and Unmukt Chand, who contributed 24, the Knight Riders were restricted to a total of 134/9. Adil Rashid removed both Jason Holder and Andre Russell at the death, finishing the day with three wickets.
The Warriorz chase began in shaky fashion as they lost Johnson Charles and Monank Patel early, before Tom Kohler-Cadmore steadied the innings with a patient 30. Sunil Narine and Olly Stone applied pressure through the middle overs, however, leaving Sharjah on 58/3 at the halfway stage.
Narine eventually removed Kohler-Cadmore, but Raza and Rew then combined in a vital 57-run partnership to keep the chase on track. The latter found the boundary at key moments and rotated the strike calmly as the equation tightened.
Holder bowled a superb penultimate over to leave the Warriorz requiring 12 from the final six balls but Rew and Rashid held their nerve to guide the Warriorz to the winning run on the last delivery.
Player of the match Rashid praised his teammates for their composure in the closing stages: “It was pleasing to contribute in a situation where things could easily have gone the other way, especially bowling the 18th and 20th overs.
“Having played against Jason and Andre for a long time does help, but thankfully the plans came off.”
Holder, the Knight Riders captain, admitted his side fell short with the bat.
“We didn’t put enough runs on the board, although full credit goes to our bowlers for the way they fought and took the game deep,” he said.
“We needed to keep wickets intact during the powerplay, and if one or two moments had gone our way, the momentum could have shifted.”
