“It was not enjoyable at all”: Djokovic praises much-improved effort from Fritz
With the first set alone taking almost as long as their last meeting, Taylor Fritz can be proud of the fight he showed against Novak Djokovic in the Australian Open quarter-finals
Panoramic
From the very first game of Novak Djokovic v Taylor Fritz, it was clear that the first of the men’s quarter-finals at the 2024 Australian Open was going to be a grueling one.
The pair battled for just shy of 17 minutes before Fritz finally got on the board, taking 24 points and 11 deuces to hold serve. This set the tone for the match, with set one taking one hour, 24 minutes to be completed, and the match itself lasting three hours, 45 minutes.
While competitiveness is not out of character for Fritz, the ability to do so against Djokovic has been. In their past eight meetings, the American has won only two sets, while the last five encounters have been straight set wins to Djokovic.
Despite Fritz now slipping to 9-0 in his head-to-head with Djokovic, the 26-year-old can hold his head up high that he offered valiant resistance this time.
“It was definitely a struggle,” Djokovic said post-match, before confessing that the match was “not enjoyable at all.”
Djokovic lauds Fritz’s game plan
Speaking to the media after his four-set win over Fritz at Melbourne Park, the Serbian was candid about the challenge his opponent offered.
“Obviously we started with a 16-, or 17-minute first game which took a lot out of us both players, and very close first set. Just physically grueling rallies,” explained Djokovic.
“He was, yeah, making me uncomfortable on the court because he was very aggressive. He served great. He was staying close to the line, taking the ball early, you know, making me, you know, run. I was oftentimes on the back foot.
“Credit to him for playing really well. You could see that he had a clear game plan. He was really sharp. So it was definitely a struggle, you know, for me to play the first couple sets.”
Willingness to suffer sees Djokovic through
Despite Fritz’s strong serving and impeccable defence of the first 15 break points he faced, it was Djokovic’s willingness to suffer that saw him win a record-equally 33rd match in a row at the Australian Open.
“I actually said that to my team right after the match. I said that this match was not an enjoyable match for me at all,” revealed Djokovic.
“Of course I’m proud to overcome the kind of challenge and obstacles, and I’m of course pleased to win, but it was not enjoyable at all. It was really, yeah, suffering, a lot of suffering in every aspect.”
The 24-time Grand Slam champion now has two days to rest up, before facing a tough challenge in Jannik Sinner on Friday. The Italian beat Djokovic twice in the course of 10 days late last year, and is yet to drop a set in Melbourne.
