Monte-Carlo 2024: Is Novak Djokovic Injured? Dejected Body Language Against Alex de Minaur Gets Fans Talking

When it looked like Novak Djokovic would finally be getting his game going this year, there has been a saddening update on him. Earlier today, he defeated Alex de Minaur in the quarterfinal clash at the Monte Carlo Masters. However, the Serb was troubled by hot and humid climatic conditions throughout the match. He looked in utter discomfort despite managing to pull off a win over his Australian opponent.

While he had a hugely successful 2023 season, this year has started on a bad note for him. Djokovic is yet to win a title this season and was looking for one in Monaco. However, given his physical state, many fans noticed him struggling, which put his title hopes in jeopardy.

After his match today, Djokovic soon became a talking point about his physical state. One of the fans on social media updated, “Djokovic, struggling physically, defeats De Minaur 7-5 6-4 to reach his 77th Masters 1000 semifinal That’s another record, one more than Nadal, and strange but true, it’s Djokovic’s 1st SF in Monte Carlo in 9 years.”

Meanwhile, another fan felt that age was getting the better of Djokovic. The comment read, “Physically, Djokovic is at that stage in his career where playing a BO3 match looks more like a BO5 one. Every point consumes his gas tank faster over time. Month after month.”

One of the Twitter users made a saddening prediction about Djokovic’s chances on the clay courts this season, saying, “Djokovic’s physical decline is very clear, it looks like he came out of a 5 hour match in 5 sets. I don’t know if he will be successful on clay this season.”

One fan was relieved that Djokovic won despite his ‘cooked’ physical state, appreciating the win in the end.

Lastly, one of the fans outlined the reason behind the Serb’s weak physical state, saying, “DJOKOVIC WAS HOT (in every sense of the word)! As in the photo, Djoko was hot because De Minaur didn’t let go like a leech and also because for him to play under the sun was starting to be hard.” (Translated using Google Translate)

This is not the first time we have seen Djokovic struggle physically in this tournament. In the previous round too, he didn’t look in a good physical state.

Novak Djokovic struggling physically big time

While Djokovic hasn’t been in the best of shape at the Monte Carlo Masters, the weather conditions in Monaco have worsened his cause. Players have been greeted with humid conditions, which is energy-sapping. As a result, not once, but twice, Djokovic was seen in an unfortunate state.

During his pre-quarterfinal match against Lorenzo Musetti, he was seen in a dizzy state and didn’t look comfortable. Nonetheless, he managed to keep his composure and prevail in that encounter.

Djokovic is a fighter in the true sense and will continue to grind it hard on the court. He’ll next face the winner of the match between Ugo Humber and Casper Ruud in the semifinals.