The new Davis Cup has attracted a lot of criticism for various reasons and because of its detachment from the past. However, something remained intact: the affection of the players for their nation.
Team Serbia has always been a rather compact team as they love defending the colors of their country. This year it was also special for them since it was the last one for Janko Tipsarevic and therefore they really wanted to win.
However, things didn’t really go well as they lost to a formidable Russian team that was well represented by Karen Khachanov and Andrey Rublev.
The attachment of Djokovic & C. to this competition was pretty clear during the press conference that followed their demise as most of them (if not all) were battling tears. Even if it is tough to see, it is also lovely to notice their attachment to the team.
“It was very emotional because it was Janko’s last,” Zimonjic said.
Janko was gracious in defeat to comment: “A few of the guys apologized to me. I don’t accept those apologies, because none of them let me down all over these 20 years. I disagree with you, Viktor, that God took this away from you.”
Finally, Djokovic commented: “Of course it hurts; it hurts us really badly, me personally as well. There’s not much to say. These kinds of matches happen once in maybe forever, and that’s it. The season is done, and we’re turning the next page. Next morning is going to be different.”
Novak Djokovic’s ranking and performance in 2019
Ranked no.2, the Serbian played his last match on the 14th of November when he was overcome by Roger Federer 6-4 6-3 in the R in London.
This year Djokovic has a 54-11 win-loss record. Novak has won 5 titles in 2019 at the Australian Open, in Madrid, in Wimbledon, in Tokyo and in Paris. Djokovic was the finalist in Rome.
Janko Tipsarevic’s ranking and performance in 2019
Ranked no.221, the Serbian played his last match on the 18th of October when he surrendered to Yuichi Sugita 6-2 4-6 7-64 in the quarter in Stockholm.
Novak Djokovic and Janko Tipsarevic played each other 7 times. The head to head is 5-2 for Djokovic.
The last time that they squared off, Novak Djokovic won 6-4 6-1 in the semifinal in Toronto on August 2012.
