Playing Novak Djokovic is “totally suffocating” according to French ATP star Alexandre Muller, who was on the wrong end of a one-sided contest between the two a year ago.
World No 70 Muller was the Serbian’s opening round opponent at the 2023 US Open, the tournament where the current world No 4 claimed his historic 24th Grand Slam title.
Djokovic started his campaign in pretty emphatic fashion against the Frenchman, dropping just five games in an easy 6-0, 6-2, 6-3 victory on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
That is not the only time Muller has played one of the game’s biggest names at a Slam, having played Carlos Alcaraz at Wimbledon in 2023 – a tournament the Spaniard also won.
Muller was beaten on that occasion but not as comprehensively, falling 6-4, 7-6(2), 6-3, and believes that what Djokovic does to his opponents is unique compared to anyone else.
“Facing Novak, the truth is that I have never had this feeling on a tennis court since,” said Muller, speaking to We Love Tennis.
“It was totally suffocating. The guy leaves you nothing, not a crumb, it’s horrible.
“I played Carlos Alcaraz at Wimbledon, it was almost relaxed, Carlos lets you breathe a little, Novak, he suffocates you constantly.”
Djokovic has not played since this year’s shock loss at the US Open, with the reigning champion beaten in four sets by Alexei Popyrin.
That defeat meant that the former world No 1 failed to win at least one Slam in a season for the first time since 2017, with Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner sweeping the majors in 2024.
Djokovic is next set to be in action at the Shanghai Masters at the beginning of October, making his first appearance at the tournament since 2019.
The tournament was not held from 2020-2022, while the 37-year-old decided to skip action in 2023.
He will hope to recapture some of his best form on familiar turf, with his four titles at the Masters 1000 an event record since the tournament launched in 2009.
Later on in the season, he is set to potentially play at the Paris Masters and then potentially the ATP Finals – should he qualify.
Djokovic is currently ninth in the ATP Race to Turin – just outside of a qualifying spot – and will need to finish the season strongly to seal his place at the year-end championships.
Having won the title in 2023, he could slip further down the rankings should he be unable to defend his title.
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