Novak Considers a Break

[El Dude]

I was going to put this in the Novak Chat thread, but it seems worthy of its own. This is potentially huge news - he's not saying anything definitive, but whether through surgery or just taking a mental break, I really wouldn't be surprised if he skips out on North America altogether, even the rest of the year. He sounds so deflated, like he really wants and needs that break.

I think it is a good idea. He's been playing so hard for so long. Either he takes a break and loves meditating on the beach with sexy yoga instructors while his wife is at home with their child(ren?), at which point he can just gracefully bow out and retire, or his pilot light is re-ignited and he comes back strong for a few years.

Phrasing it like that makes it sound like I think they are equally likely - I don't. I think he really needs time off, but his hunger will come back and then he'll come back more focused. I think at the least he skips Canada (or should), then comes back for Cincinnati, the missing Masters on his resume. While I of course want Roger to win Cincy, I would enjoy seeing Novak find his form and taking that last Masters trophy that has eluded him.

Of course if he really needs surgery, who knows how long that will be.

Anyhow, what do you think about Novak's remarks? Is he just being a debbie downer, or are you (Novakians) worried?

 

[Federberg]

I think he's looking over at how Roger and Rafa are performing this year, and realising that if he's to stand any chance of matching their records he'll have to follow what's worked for them. It's smart. The only issue, is that will he be able to get the same outcomes they've had. Rafa has clay as a fall back. Roger has his style of play. I think it's inherently tougher for Novak to achieve the same outcomes, but he is much younger than them. The concern is that the sorts of new players who are coming up, Thiem, Zverev and Kyrgios in particular seem designed to cause him problems in particular. Worth a shot though, because this walking wounded thing he's doing isn't working

 

[Moxie]

It doesn't sound like the long break is completely optional, though I do agree it seems needed. Whatever is going on with his elbow and shoulder, he also clearly needs more than a few tournaments off to recharge the batteries. @Federberg : for the record, Novak is only 11 months younger than Nadal. I know it used to seem like more, but Novak has been racking up the tennis miles, too.

 

[Federberg]

It doesn't sound like the long break is completely optional, though I do agree it seems needed. Whatever is going on with his elbow and shoulder, he also clearly needs more than a few tournaments off to recharge the batteries. @Federberg : for the record, Novak is only 11 months younger than Nadal. I know it used to seem like more, but Novak has been racking up the tennis miles, too.

Oh absolutely I know. Although, there's years, and tennis years. In tennis years, Rafa's probably a couple of years older than Novak. But to be honest his style of play is also quite attritional

 

[Moxie]

Oh absolutely I know. Although, there's years, and tennis years. In tennis years, Rafa's probably a couple of years older than Novak. But to be honest his style of play is also quite attritional

And I've always agreed with that. Even Nadal does. When ESPN gave him a little birthday party at RG, and asked him if he felt like a young 31 or an old 31, he said "an old 31." And then laughed. However much yoga, Djokovic has been adding on the mileage in the last couple of years, too. And his style isn't really kinder to the body.

 

[Federberg]

The guy looks like a stick now. It really doesn't look healthy. I hope I'm wrong, but when that sort of physique goes, it could just be over...

 

[mrzz]

A break is smart. I am sure Djokovic is not over, the guy is too good for that, and the fall was too sharp. Even if he would announce retirement today, I am pretty sure he would come back one year later firing in all cylinders. One day he would seat in front of the TV, watch some final between players A and B, and say to himself "hell, I still can beat those guys".

Winning majors is a giant task -- with or without big 4 around -- but I put my money on Djokovic winning still a bunch.

 

[isabelle]

poor Nole, he's struggling with this tennis elbow since RG 2016, it's a bad period for him, he has to be healthy before coming back srong, get well soon Nole, I miss you

 

[GameSetAndMath]

A break is a good idea, especially if he needs surgery. If he does not surgery also, break is a good idea as he has been playing a lot and it would refresh him.

But, there is a caveat. A break gives time for extra-curricular activities and that could lead to more troubles for him.

 

[kskate2]

Long overdue. He probably should have taken it last year, but he was trying to hold off Muzz gaining the #1 spot and he lost it anyway.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

"The Times' reports that Andy is mulling hip surgery. Anyway, with both Andy and Novak having issues, suddenly the chances of a Fedal final at USO (where it has never happened before) has increased.

 

[MartyB]

"The Times' reports that Andy is mulling hip surgery. Anyway, with both Andy and Novak having issues, suddenly the chances of a Fedal final at USO (where it has never happened before) has increased.

To finally see these two titans of our sport finally play at the US Open would be only fitting.

 

[Moxie]

I'm not sure if Andy Murray's hip needs its own thread yet, but he's facing much the same thing. Here's an article from The Telegraph. It seems to be rest it, or surgery. Obviously, Andy's problems seem "only" mechanical, and Novak's seem to be both physical and unaddressed burn-out. But it looks like both could be looking at missing most or all of the rest of the season. I'm with those that think that Novak should just shut the rest of the season down. There's a lot more wait and see with Murray, but they both look pretty doubtful for the US Open.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

I'm not sure if Andy Murray's hip needs its own thread

Usually, threads are needed for stitching after surgery.

 

[Moxie]

Usually, threads are needed for stitching after surgery.

 

[Busted]

If Djokovic takes a mental health break rather than an enforced injury break due to surgery? I see another Borg. He won't come back and if he does it won't be the same and his "return" won''t last more than a year.

 

[El Dude]

If Djokovic takes a mental health break rather than an enforced injury break due to surgery? I see another Borg. He won't come back and if he does it won't be the same and his "return" won''t last more than a year.

I thought of Borg as well, especially in relation to @mrzz's comment, but one difference is that Borg tried to come back 8-9 years later, in 1991 I think, after effectively retiring a the end of 1981 (he played a lone tournament in each of 1982-84, but he was basically done after '81).

 

[Moxie]

I thought of Borg as well, especially in relation to @mrzz's comment, but one difference is that Borg tried to come back 8-9 years later, in 1991 I think, after effectively retiring a the end of 1981 (he played a lone tournament in each of 1982-84, but he was basically done after '81).

I thought Busted's comparison to Borg was a bummer and didn't comment, but since you did: it's an imperfect comparison because Borg was not just burnt out, (and let's not pretend that nose candy had nothing to do with it,) but he was also getting beat by McEnroe. Djokovic had a sink in emotion and body at the top of the game. For that reason, I think that, while he does need a serious break, he could come back fulling invigorated and ready to go. And he's got Roger and Rafa for inspiration. I think @mrzz's point that he'll be sitting in front of the telly, feeling like he could be beating those guys will get him back to the fight. I do think the key is getting enough of a break to really, truly want it again.

 

[atttomole]

I don't see why he is considering a break when he has the body of a 25 year old.

 

[El Dude]

I don't see why he is considering a break when he has the body of a 25 year old.

Haha, nicely played.