Novak Djokovic is back at the Mutua Madrid Open after skipping the past two editions, but based on this vision from a recent training session, it doesn’t appear to be going that smoothly.
With local hero Carlos Alcaraz withdrawing at the last minute, the spotlight has naturally shifted to the Serbian.
While preparing with Arthur Fils, Djokovic cut a frustrated figure.
At one point, he snapped: “F**k sports, tennis and everything else!”
The outburst, though not entirely uncharacteristic, painted a bizarre picture for some.
At 37 and leading the all-time grand slam tally, some are wondering why he’s not on a beach with his feet up as opposed to slaving away in the Spanish sun.
“That’s kind of amazing,” one person wrote.
“24-time slam winner record champion of everything getting so upset at practice when he could retire and hang back as the GOAT.”
“Everyone says they want to be the elite athlete or the billionaire or the world-famous entertainer, but to get to that point, you must have a maniacal work ethic and psychotic competitiveness,” another wrote.
“Djokovic hasn’t had a tasty cheat meal in decades. You can’t quit it even if you try.”
He is set to open his campaign against Matteo Arnaldi on Saturday the 26th.
