As a result of that defeat, Djokovic lost his world No 1 ranking to Russia's Daniil Medvedev on Tuesday. Oddly enough, Medvedev's participation in events immediately become the focus of debate this week, with some arguing that Russians and Belarussians should be banned from the tour in retaliation for Vladimir Putin's warmongering. At the moment, though, these players are allowed to compete under a neutral flag.
Unless the USA should relax its travel restrictions in the next few days, Monte Carlo – which happens to be one of Djokovic's main homes – is set to be his next appointment. The traditional starting point for the clay-court season, Monte Carlo is swiftly followed by Barcelona, Madrid and Rome, before the sequence concludes with the French Open.
Although Spain and Italy still require vaccine passports, Djokovic will surely be hoping that they emulate France – and the United Kingdom – by lowering their Covid safeguards in the coming weeks. His status as the only unvaccinated player in the world's top 100 is extremely unlikely to affect his participation at Wimbledon.
Meanwhile, it was reported on Wednesday that Djokovic is no longer working with his long-time mentor, Marian Vajda. Although the 2001 Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanisevic is listed Djokovic's day-to-day coach, Vajda has been an important sounding board since he began competing seriously for majors.
Vajda – who is 57, and wants to spend more time with his family – is understood to have stepped back at the end of last season, so his departure does not seem connected with the anti-vaxx debate that has developed around Djokovic.
Also on Wednesday, it emerged that Peugeot have also ceased to sponsor Djokovic. Again, though, this is not necessarily a comment on his approach to Covid. Peugeot are also cutting back on their involvement in the French Open.