Novak Djokovic ’s decision to play in the mixed doubles at the Tokyo Olympics last summer was his one big mistake as he chased a historic Calendar Slam, according to his coach Goran Ivanisevic.
The World No. 1 was unceremoniously dumped out of the Monte-Carlo Masters, falling to underdog Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 6-3 6-7 (5-7) 6-1 in the second round. Djokovic was clearly lacking match sharpness as the tournament was just the second event he has competed in since the turn of the year due to his vaccination status amid Covid restrictions.
Djokovic’s difficult start to 2022 is a stark contrast to how the Serbian superstar played throughout the 2021 campaign, when he came within one win of becoming the first man since Rod Laver in 1969 to secure a Calendar Grand Slam. The Serb even eyed a ‘Golden’ Slam achieved by winning the Olympic gold medal as well as all four major titles, but came up short in both the Olympics and the US Open.
