“In the important points, Sinner was going for it, he was more courageous” – Djokovic
Djokovic, Sinner and Rune are all in contention to qualify for the semi-finals from the Green Group
Novak Djokovic at the 2023 ATP Finals in Turin
Image Credit: Chryslene Caillaud / Panoramic
At the end of their three-hour nine-minute encounter at the ATP Finals in Turin, Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner had both won 109 points each. There was little to choose between the two, but it was the 22-year-old Italian who walked away with the 7-5, 6-7, 7-6 win over the Serb.
Djokovic, who had won his three previous encounters against Sinner including the Wimbledon semi-final in July, put down the result to one simple thing – Sinner playing more courageous and aggressive tennis in the crucial points.
“I think last time we played was semis in Wimbledon. I won in straight sets, but it was very close match. Few points here and there decided every set,” Djokovic told the media after his loss. “Game-wise I think he was playing as well as he’s playing today. Maybe serving better. But I think the main difference is that in the important points, he was going for it, he was more courageous. He deserved to win because in important moments I wasn’t I guess aggressive enough, I wasn’t decisive enough. I gave him opportunity to take the control over the points. 5-All third set, 15-30, second serve, I was in the rally and should have stepped in and didn’t, and he did. You have to just congratulate him. He just played a fantastic match. That’s what I told him at the net. I think in the most important moments, he played his best game and he absolutely deserved to win.”
I’m proud of the fight that I put in. It just wasn’t enough for the win.
Novak Djokovic
The loss was only Djokovic’s sixth of the season, which saw him claim three of the four Grand Slams and reach the final of the fourth. Four of those losses (Lorenzo Musetti in Monte-Carlo, Holger Rune in Rome, Carlos Alcaraz at Wimbledon, and now Sinner in Turin) have come to players aged 22 or under; and the Serb is aware that the younger generation are highly motivated to take his scalp.
“I don’t think there is anything strange about that. It’s normal they want to beat me. I was experiencing for already these kind of feelings that every single player is motivated even more to beat me anywhere I play in the world. That’s okay. It’s absolutely normal. They want to take the scalp. Jannik did that tonight,” the Serb said. “It’s normal to lose some of the matches like this, but I have to be content with the fight, fighting spirit. I managed to make a comeback from set down, break down in the third set. Played in really challenging and difficult conditions on the court today. I’m proud of the fight that I put in. It just wasn’t enough for the win.”
Djokovic takes on first alternate Hubert Hurkacz in his final group match on Thursday with all to play for as the Serb battles with Sinner and Holger Rune, who face off in the other group match on Thursday, for a semi-final berth in Turin.
