Novak Djokovic’s shocking exit from the Australian Open, orchestrated by Jannik Sinner in the semi-final, left tennis enthusiasts speculating about the world No. 1’s health. However, Djokovic’s coach, Goran Ivanisevic, has dispelled any rumors regarding the Serbian player’s well-being during the match, asserting that Djokovic was indeed in good health.
Sinner’s impressive victory marked the end of Djokovic’s remarkable 33-match, six-year unbeaten run in Melbourne. The Italian player secured his place in history by defeating the 10-time Australian Open champion with a scoreline of 6-1 6-2 6-7(6) 6-3, ultimately claiming his first Major title.
Goran Ivanisevic addressed the speculation surrounding Djokovic’s health, emphasizing that the Serbian star was not suffering from any illness during the pivotal match. Ivanisevic admitted that Djokovic’s defeat was inevitable at some point, stating, “Sooner or later he had to lose; we were all aware of that.”
The coach expressed regret over the timing of Djokovic’s exit but acknowledged that facing a formidable opponent like Sinner required being at the peak of one’s performance. Ivanisevic highlighted the difficulty of the situation, stating, “It’s just a shame that it happened this way, but against Sinner, if you’re not 100 per cent, you have nothing to ask for. And even when you’re at 100 per cent, you can still lose.”
Djokovic’s admission of it being one of the “worst Grand Slam matches” he had ever played shed light on the challenges he faced throughout the tournament. The 36-year-old had a tough journey in Melbourne, dropping sets in his initial matches against Dino Prizmic and Alexei Popyrin.
The loss to Sinner not only halted Djokovic’s bid for an 18th Grand Slam title but also ended his reign as the Australian Open champion, a title he held since 2019. Despite the disappointment, Djokovic’s coach remained pragmatic about the defeat, recognizing the inevitability of setbacks in the world of professional tennis.
As Djokovic takes stock of his performance and prepares for future challenges, the tennis world awaits his return to the court, eager to witness the resilience and determination that have characterized his illustrious career.
Novak Djokovic in 2024
Ranked no.1, the Serbian played his last match on the 26th of January when he capitulated to world no.4 Jannik Sinner 6-1 6-2 6-7(6) 6-3 in the semifinal of the Australian Open (draw).
Presently, during this year Djokovic achieved a 7-2 record. Novak Djokovic’s latest run at the Australian Open was the best achievement of his season.
Novak Djokovic |
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