Former doubles world No 1 Rennae Stubbs believes Novak Djokovic missing tournaments due to his vaccine stance has helped him dominate in the last few years.
The commentator and analyst, a former coach of Serena Williams, thinks that, while the pandemic “was not a friend” to Djokovic, its impact has “given him longevity.”
Djokovic missed both the Australian Open and the US Open in 2022 due to his decision not to have the Covid-19 vaccine, which was required to enter both countries at the time.
The world No 1 has also missed out on other prestigious tournaments in recent years, such as the Masters 1000 events in Indian Wells and Miami in both 2022 and 2023.
The 36-year-old has, though, won seven of the last 10 Grand Slam tournaments he has entered – claiming three of four in each of the 2021 and 2023 seasons, and one of the two he could play in 2022.
The Serbian triumphed at the Australian Open, the French Open and the US Open this year, while he was a runner-up at Wimbledon. He claimed seven titles overall in a stunning 2023 season.
Speaking on an episode of The Rennae Stubbs Tennis Podcast, Stubbs criticised Casper Ruud’s off-season scheduling ahead of 2023 and highlighted how Djokovic playing less has been beneficial.
“But you know then he didn’t play after that and then he was like ‘Oh my god, I’m gonna go to the tournament and I’m gonna play at the Australian Open’. It’s like he needed a break.
“I’m like, ‘Dude you got to pick your schedule a little bit better’, which is why I think Novak, for example, has been able to dominate the last few years. I mean listen, the pandemic was not a friend to him.
“Let’s face it, vaccines and all and not being able to play like three or four Grand Slams that he should have played and probably would have won, but you know what I think it’s given him longevity.
“Even more longevity because he actually was resting his body for a period of that time. So I think it randomly has helped him. I’m sure he’d probably like to have played.”
Ruud played a series of exhibitions against Nadal late in 2022, before missing the start of the 2023 season, which – despite his French Open final run – was disappointing compared to his previous two campaigns.
Stubbs, who won 60 WTA doubles titles including four Grand Slams, has also coached Karolina Pliskova, Samantha Stosur and Eugenie Bouchard. The 52-year-old, who was ranked as high as No 64 in singles, played between 1992 and 2011.
News
“Antivaxxer vultured the weakest era in the history of tennis!” – Novak Djokovic being dubbed as the ‘last GOAT standing’ doesn’t sit well with salty Roger Federer fans on social media
Roger Federer fans launched personal attacks on Djokovic to demean the Serbian. Tennis and the never-ending debate about its GOAT has once again taken over social media…
Gael Monfils or Novak Djokovic: Who Is Jakub Mensik’s Childhood Idol?
Jakub Mensik is on cloud nine currently. The 18-year-old tennis sensation is living his dream at the ongoing Qatar Open. Mensik has made it to the summit clash…
World No. 1 tennis player Novak Djokovic and this female tennis player are on the list to attend the upcoming Miami Open 2024
World No. 1 Novak Djokovic is expected to return to the Miami Open this year for the first time since 2019. The winner of a record 24…
A member of Novak Djokovic’s team leaves Nole to follow a rising star
The young Italian Lorenzo Musetti is trying to recover from a negative period with new additions to his team. As his new agent, the 23-year-old has chosen Edoardo Artaldi, historic…
Tennis legends Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal reunion breaks the internet
Tennis stars have faced each other on court 59 times, out of which Nadal leads on clay surfaces and Djokovic on hard courts Tennis legends Rafael Nadal…
Former world No 10 claims Federer-Nadal rivalry makes it ‘difficult’ to name Novak Djokovic the GOAT
Former Argentine player Martin Jaite has asserted that it is “very difficult” to take sides with any of Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal or Roger Federer in the…
End of content
No more pages to load