Djokovic accepts Eastbourne wildcard

The last time we saw Novak Djokovic, the Serb had just been belted off the court in the quarterfinals of Roland Garros.

The Serb’s 7-6(5) 6-3 6-0 thumping at the hands of Dominic Thiem left him unsure of what his next move would be.

“I was planning to play only Wimbledon. I might play a lead-up event; I might not. I’m not really sure right now,” he said in his post-match press conference.

Now we know what those plans are.

The world No.2 has accepted a wildcard into the combined ATP/WTA grasscourt event in Eastbourne in the week leading up to Wimbledon.

It’s an unusual move for Djokovic, who for the past six years has opted not to contest a tune-up event the week before Wimbledon. The last time he did so was at Queen’s in 2010 – and back then there were only two weeks between the French Open and Wimbledon, rather than the current three.

Last GS champ to win a title in the preceding week: Victoria Azarenka, Sydney/Aus Open 2012
Last man: Pat Rafter, Long Island/US Open 1998

— Michael Beattie (@michaeljbeattie) June 21, 2017

“This will be my first trip to Eastbourne, I have heard great things about the tournament,” Djokovic said. “I am looking forward to fine-tuning my grass court game there ahead of Wimbledon.”

The manner in which Djokovic fell to Thiem in Paris prompted one journalist to ask whether the Serb would benefit from an extended period away from the game.

Djokovic didn’t dismiss the idea.

“Trust me, I’m thinking about many things, especially in the last couple months. I’m just trying to sense what’s the best thing for me now,” he answered.

“At the same time, I have responsibility to the game itself, towards others. We’ll see. Obviously it’s not an easy decision to make, but I will see how I feel, anyway, after Roland Garros and then decide what to do next.”

Djokovic, who won at Wimbledon in 2014 and 2015 before bowing out in the third round last year to Sam Querrey, will be joined in the 28-player men’s field by Querrey, Gael Monfils, John Isner, Mischa Zverev and Richard Gasquet.

It is the first time since 2014 that a men’s tournament has featured alongside the long-running WTA event in Eastbourne.