“He literally stopped and it confused me completely,” said Djokovic, who hit a casual-looking drop-shot when a stationary Nardi patted the ball back, and then did not run for the next ball, so that Nardi ended up winning the point.
“I stopped as well,” Djokovic added. “How can you not make that judgement? Are you blagging me or what?”
Allensworth replied: “Just because he stands there and doesn’t continue to play, doesn’t mean it’s grounds for a hindrance.”
Hindrance is a rule normally used when a player shouts out in the middle of a rally, distracting their opponent as he or she is about to hit the ball.
Replays suggested that Djokovic was still grumbling about this flashpoint when the players shook hands at the net, saying: “It wasn’t right, but you did well.”
Later, in the interview room, Djokovic said: “No titles this year. That’s not something I’m used to. I was starting the season most of my career with a grand slam win or Dubai win. It’s fine. It’s part of the sport. You just have to accept it. Some you win, some you lose.
“Hopefully I’ll win some more and still keep going. I guess every trophy that eventually comes my way is going to be great, to break the kind of negative cycle a little bit I’m having in the last three, four tournaments where I haven’t really been close to my best.”
When asked more specifically about his performance, Djokovic replied: “I made some really terrible unforced errors. He got in as a lucky loser to main draw, so he really didn’t have anything to lose. He played great. Deserved to win. I was more surprised with my level. My level was really, really bad.”
For his part, Nardi – who identified Djokovic as his boyhood idol – described the victory as a miracle. “I don’t know [how I held my nerve],” he said. “I think it is a miracle, because I am a 20-year-old guy, 100 in the world, and beating Novak. It’s crazy.
“I couldn’t even imagine to play a match against him, and now I also beat him,” added Nardi, who will now face the US’s Tommy Paul in the fourth round.
“It’s such a dream come true for me. After the match, my coaches told me, Luca, everyone was cheering for you. Incredible. Against Djokovic, he’s the best player ever. I will keep it, this moment, for the rest of my life.”
Djokovic is at his best as a cornered beast but his motivation is waning
Olivia Martin is a dedicated sports journalist based in the UK. With a passion for various athletic disciplines, she covers everything from major league championships to local sports events, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis.
