Davidovich portrays Djokovic

Whatever your name is, a month and a half without stepping on a track or feeling the adrenaline of the competition is a long time, too much in most cases.

It is also for Novak Djokovic, who returned this Tuesday after a long parenthesis – caused by his refusal to be vaccinated against covid, separated from the North American tour – and returned in an inanimate and dull version, without fire, spark or answers. .

Degreased and without rhythm, the number one verified again the harsh reality of his situation.

If in February it was Jiri Vesely who made his seams jump in Dubai, this time it was Alejandro Davidovich (6-3, 6-7(5) and 6-1, in 2h 54m) who struck down the first in the Monte Carlo Masters 1000.

The arreón was not enough.

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The Serbian said in the prelude to the tournament that, logically, to get back on track and get in shape he needs time and games, but the competition differs: in tennis there is no truce.

He doesn't understand pauses.

His decision prevents him from playing regularly and to get on the train again he will need a physical and emotional extra that he may find on this long-distance tour on land, but not in the Principality.

It's 45 days watching from the sidelines, not tested since he fell in the third round in Dubai;

and, above all, there are only four games that he has played in this quarter, too little for anyone.

Also for a giant like him.

With competitive biorhythms very low, Davidovich held on and finished him off.

Quickly, the man from Malaga, who usually shares rallies with him in Marbella, perceived the fragility of a rival who jumped onto the court surrounded by questions.

Static, predictable and locked.

Lacking automation.

A stranger.

Djokovic's neutral look, neither cold nor hot.

Bad sign in his case.

Without the ardor or the verve that characterize him, without that warrior essence, Djokovic is not Djokovic, but a mere substitute.

He thus appeared during the first set and for a long time in the second;

He was giving up

and ground, traveling on a thin ledge until Davidovich got into a mess, got tangled up on his own – losing service twice, one of them blank and with three double faults – and fueled him.

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Away from himself, Nole was disgusted.

He failed more than usual (45 errors) and repeated the poor selection of shots and maneuvers, leaving a grotesque error in a very clear volley and collapsing when he had managed to rejoin through an outburst in the outcome of the second set, ruled by

to

, and then on the tiebreaker.

There, for a few brief moments, Djokovic was a little more Djokovic: perfect

, finger to the ear, howling.

Equality.

But it was a passing impulse, a fleeting reaction.

He turned around and toughened up the game, but everything was left in a lurch due to fuel shortages.

Davidovich responded to the challenge with a formidable reply, with guts and fortitude, and earned a pass to the round of 16, against David Goffin or Daniel Evans.

In the two previous matches against Nole, the Andalusian (22 years old, 46th in the ATP) had only been able to take seven games from him;

this time there were 18 and with them he signed the most brilliant victory of his career, which in turn reveals what the Serbian was overtaking just three days ago: the number one is warming up the engine, and his track this year on clay is all an unknown

In the spring of this 2022, Djokovic is looking for Djokovic.

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