Why Novak Djokovic’s comeback looks so different

With a third straight loss in a row in his first match at the Miami Open to Benoit Paire (6-3, 6-4), Novak Djokovic is still struggling for answers.

Novak Djokovic’s recent loss in Miami demonstrates that the Serbian seems at a complete loss about how to return to the game he has achieved so much in, with a record 12 grand slams and a tie for most Masters 1000 titles. His dominant run from 2014-16 stand as one of the most celebrated in tennis history.

By 2015, with the Serb collecting three grand slams, six Masters 1000’s, and 11 titles, he broke the record for most ATP ranking points, sitting like a king on top of the leaderboard and looking unstoppable. Winning the fourth slam at Roland Garros, there seemed no end in sight to his epic run.

But it all came to a crashing halt in ’17, with the signs of it beginning in ’16, with his first round loss at the Rio Olympics. Since then, the 12-time grand slam champion has been plagued by performance issues, personal issues, dramatic changes to his training and coaching team, physical changes, and a bothersome elbow that he first tried to heal holistically and then underwent minor surgery this year after it was apparent he was still playing through pain.

Taking inspiration from Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic took some well-deserved time off for most of the last half of ’17, hoping to surface back with a Renaissance of his own this year. But the 30-year-old’s comeback has only proved disappointing, with admissions of physical pain and now a lack of game plan to move forward.

“I’m trying, but it’s not working,” said a dejected Djokovic after his loss to Paire. “That’s all it is. I mean, obviously I’m not feeling great when I’m playing this way.

“Of course I want to be able to play as well as I want to play. Just, it’s impossible at the moment. That’s all.”

Djokovic has always been a different player from Federer or Nadal. Comparisons between Federer’s comeback and the Serb’s are inevitable, but are they really fair?

Federer’s accomplishments have been more spread out over a longer time span, he’s played for the most with very little injury, and practices a much more nuanced, all-around game. Djokovic, on the other hand, plays a more punishing and physically taxing style. Their clashes were always a fascinating clash of different methods. But the physical ailments for Djokovic will clearly take more time to heal.

“I compromised my game and the movement and everything,” admitted Djokovic. “I’m trying to figure things out.”

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The good news is that the Career Grand Slam winner is playing without pain, and that’s the first step. Devastated by the recent loss, however, has lead the Serb to contemplate a further withdrawal from the game. He has not committed to the clay season—he’s one of the few to present a serious challenge to the ‘king of clay’ Nadal on his favorite surface—and we will now have three of the ‘Big Four’ likely out all season. Nadal himself is coming back from injury.

Djokovic was asked if he will play the first clay Masters 1000, Monte Carlo—a tournament he’s won twice, including a win over Nadal in 2013.

“Let’s see what happens,” was Djokovic’s noncommittal answer.

But when will Djokovic return to form? As we’ve seen since his serious decline, there is no clear answer to this.