Serbian Novak Djokovic (1) criticized his play after losing in the Australian Open semi-final to Italy’s Jannik Sinner (4), and said it was one of the worst Grand Slam matches of his career.
“I was shocked at my level, I wasn’t doing many things as I should have. It’s one of the worst Grand Slam matches of my career. I want to give him credit for doing everything better than me,” commented Djokovic after finishing the match, the streak of 33 consecutive matches won at Melbourne Park.
“I’m sure later I will see things I can be proud of. One day the streak would be over. At least I gave everything I had and lost to a player who will have a good chance of getting his first Slam. I hope I have the possibility of returning to play, at least, another time”, added the ten-time champion.
“During the whole tournament I couldn’t get close to my best level. Maybe the day against (Adrian) Mannarino was better. It’s not the way I usually play in Australia,” added Djokovic, who fell in three games. the last four comparisons of him with Sinner.
“This statistic says a lot. He served very well and I did many negative things: return, movement, forehand, backhand… He dominated a lot with the serve and this plays with the opponent’s mind, which in turn this case it was me,” he said after finishing the match with no break points in his favor.
“Roland Garros is very far away. Let’s see how the favorites play on clay, because the conditions on clay are very different. If Nadal plays he is always the favourite, that’s what he is at Roland Garros. Even Alcaraz and Sinner, anyone in top of the table will have options,” he explained when asked about the favorite in the French major.
“I still have hope for the Slams and the Olympics. It’s the start of the season, but I’m not used to this feeling. I’ve never lost a semi-final or a final in Australia”, concluded Djokovic, who will continue as number one despite the defeat against the Italian.
Source: Clarin
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