Novak Djokovic could be 'finished' next season - Toni Nadal explains why
NOVAL DJOKOVIC may be “finished” next season because of the emerging stars on the ATP Tour.
That is according to Rafael Nadal’s ex-coach and uncle Toni Nadal.
Toni stepped down from his nephew’s entourage 12 months ago to exclusively coach at the Rafael Nadal Tennis Academy, but has still kept a close eye on the professional game.
The recent season ended with 21-year-old Alexander Zverev beating Djokovic in straight sets at the ATP Finals in London.
And according to the Spanish tennis coach, it is players like the 21-year-old Zverev who could spell the beginning of the end for the World No 1.
Despite a disappointing end, Djokovic did enjoy a successful 2018, claiming his 13th and 14th Grand Slam singles titles with triumphs at Wimbledon and the US Open.
Toni says he expected a strong season from the 31-year-old, but does forecast a trough from here on.
“The truth is that I said from the beginning that Djokovic was going to be up [there] again when he wanted to,” Toni told Spanish newspaper El Diario Vasco.
“His quality was too high not to count on him.
The young people have taken an important step this year
“[But] I was surprised at how his [high] level of play stopped so quickly [at the end of the season].”
“In 2019, it may be finished given the change of generation that is underway.”
As well as the curtain-closing loss to Zverev, Djokovic suffered another straight sets final loss in the season’s penultimate event, the Paris Masters.
Russian 22-year-old Karen Khachanov was the dragon-slayer in that instance, and is one of five stars on the Tour who could topple Djokovic, according to Toni.
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“The young people have taken an important step this year,” the tennis coach continued.
“Karen Khachanov was able to prevail over Djokovic in the final of the Paris Masters, Alexander Zverev has also imposed himself on Novak in London, [Denis] Shapovalov is the youngest but can move forward.
“There is a very strong group with [Borna] Coric or [Dominic] Thiem who are about to make the final leap.
“Rafael, Djokovic, [Roger] Federer and company know that they will have to play with these young people.”