In addition to Novak Djokovic's defeat at home by Andrey Rublev (8th), the ATP 250 Belgrade final was the scene of a particular draw that was held to determine who would be the first to put the ball into play.
In the first images of the broadcast, the chair judge could be seen next to the Russian tennis player on the net with two red eggs in his hand. After the arrival of Djokovic, the umpire formally introduced them and started the event.
“You know more about these eggs than I do,” the chair judge said to Nole with a complicit smile. “This is probably the only time I do know,” the Serbian replied.
The reason for this unusual draw that took place at the ATP in Belgrade was to pay tribute to Serbian tradition since this Sunday was Orthodox Easter, where families choose to paint hard-boiled eggs in colors after boiling them.
It was then that the referee gave each one a red egg and the players had to beat them against each other to see which one broke first. Apparently it was the 24-year-old Muscovite who suffered the breakage of the shell, so the serve remained in the hands of the Serbian.
Despite losing in that instance, Rublev was able to celebrate and win the title after beating the world number 1 6-2, 6-7 (4-6) and 6-0. Nole, who was looking to relaunch after his incoming defeat at Monte Carlo, was hampered by his physical condition in the last set. “Things are progressing slowly, but Paris is the main objective and I hope to be ready by then,” said Djokovic after the match.
The experienced tennis player, who was playing his third tournament of the season, met for the first time this year with a top-10 player in the world. The Serbian was able to see the work that remains to be done to reach the highest level in the coming months.
As in his previous three matches in the capital of his country, against compatriots Lazlo Djere (No. 50) and Miomir Kecmanovic (No. 38), and then against Russia's Karen Khachanov (N.26), Djokovic did not start the match well, giving up his service twice and letting the first set slip.
“I have to focus on the positive, play the final in front of my fans. It was unfortunate that in the third set I ran out of energy and couldn't fight anymore,” the Serbian comforted himself. Supported by more than 8,000 spectators, it balanced the balance at the end of a second marathon set lasting more than an hour. “After three sets I can say that I am tired but also satisfied with how I managed my physique to win the previous matches,” he analyzed.
When he reached the final of the tournament in his hometown, Djokovic improved his guarismos in 2022 (now five wins and three losses), but he has a lot to do for Roland Garros (May 22-June 5).
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