Novak Djokovic says ‘private issues’ cost him chance of grand slam

Novak Djokovic appeared unstoppable at the start of the grass court season, but since then, a significant dip in form has seen his chances at a calendar year grand slam evaporate.

Djokovic said following the U.S. Open draw that mental issues were his downfall at Wimbledon, stemming particularly from some things that were happening in his private life.

“It was nothing physical, it was not an injury,” Djokovic said at the draw, via Leo Schlink of the Herald Sun. “It was some other things that I was going through privately. But it was nothing linked to the wrist injury I got in Rio.

“We all have private issues and things that are more challenges than issues, things we have to encounter and overcome in order to evolve as a human being. That was the period for me. Was resolved and life is going on like everything else.”

He did say that his loss at the Olympics was due in part to a wrist injury that he is still battling.

Djokovic lost shockingly to Sam Querrey at Wimbledon, and there was significant speculation about Djokovic’s wife Jelena in the British press at the time. That was likely a factor.

It’s been an odd year for Djokovic. He had to face a bit of controversy over some comments he made earlier in the season, and it’s been a struggle since Wimbledon. He’ll try to turn things around at Flushing Meadows, where he has won twice in his career, including 2015.