While Djokovic produced his career-capping win on red clay at the Paris Olympics in 2024, and claimed the title at Roland Garros in his last great year (2023), his 20 career titles on clay ranks well behind his 71 hard-court triumphs (he also has eight on grass). Djokovic has cut back his clay schedule in recent years. Will he stick with that approach, add events, or perhaps scale back even further?
Djokovic’s once seemingly bulletproof, elastic body has become more susceptible to strains and tears, and the clay season had been shaping up as something of a free-for-all even before world No. 1 Jannik Sinner returns from his doping suspension at the Italian Open (one of Djokovic’s favorite clay events). Some of the most dangerous newcomers—among them Mensik and Joao Fonseca—were schooled on clay, much like other notables including Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev. All of them have expertise in the art of wearing down opponents with consistency and power.
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The consensus GOAT will have his work cut out in the coming weeks. In the Miami final Djokovic grew visibly fatigued, huffing and puffing as the match wore on. The key, fifth point in the second set tiebreaker was a warp-speed, 21-shot rally that ended in a mini-break for Mensik, with Djokovic sprawled on his back, limbs akinbo, on the court. Mensik’s ability to extend intense rallies had become the controlling factor. If it were a prize-fight, Mensik would have been awarded a TKO.
