Novak Djokovic’s coach, Goran Ivanisevic, has debunked speculations surrounding Djokovic’s health during his unexpected loss to Jannik Sinner at the Australian Open. Contrary to beliefs that Djokovic was unwell, Ivanisevic confirmed that the Serbian player was indeed at full fitness during the match.
In a post-tournament interview with SportKlub, Ivanisevic addressed Djokovic’s defeat and dismissed theories about illness, stating, “Sooner or later he had to lose, we were all aware of that. It’s just a shame that it happened this way, but against Sinner if you’re not 100%, you have nothing to ask for.”
Despite the disappointing outcome, Ivanisevic expressed no bitterness and acknowledged Sinner’s impressive performance. He mentioned that if Djokovic had to lose to someone, he was glad it was Sinner, who went on to achieve a miraculous comeback in the tournament, defeating Medvedev in a 3-2 win and clinching his first Grand Slam title.
Ivanisevic commented on Djokovic’s overall performance at the Australian Open, noting, “Well, let’s move on, it’s nothing that tragic. No, nothing bothered him, he was healthy, but it just didn’t work out… It can happen to him too; he’s flesh and blood.”
The coach’s statement sheds light on Djokovic’s condition and dispels any lingering doubts about his health during the tournament. Djokovic’s loss to Sinner, while unexpected, is now framed as part of the inevitable ups and downs in the world of tennis.
Goran Ivanisevic says Novak Djokovic was healthy against Sinner, & if he had to lose to someone he’s glad it was Jannik:
“Sooner or later he had to lose, we were all aware of that. It’s just a shame that it happened this way, but against Sinner if you’re not 100%, you have… pic.twitter.com/4MAR6qYnJg
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) February 5, 2024
As Djokovic and his team regroup for future tournaments, the Australian Open setback serves as a reminder that even the most dominant players can face challenges, and in this case, Sinner proved to be a worthy adversary. The tennis world will be keenly watching Djokovic’s next moves as he continues his pursuit of Grand Slam glory.
Novak Djokovic in 2024
Currently ranked no.1, the Serbian played his last match on the 26th of January when he lost to world no.4 Jannik Sinner 6-1 6-2 6-7(6) 6-3 in the semifinal of the Australian Open (draw).
Currently, during this year Djokovic has achieved an overall 7-2 win-loss record. Novak Djokovic’s latest run at the Australian Open was the best achievement of his season.
Jannik Sinner in 2024
Ranked world no.4 (career-high), Sinner played his last match on the 28th of January when he overcame world no.3 Daniil Medvedev 3-6 3-6 6-4 6-4 6-3 in the final of the Australian Open to win his 12th career title.
Currently, during this season Sinner has an overall 7-0 record. This year, Jannik clinched 1 title at the Australian Open.
Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner squared off 7 times. Their current head to head is 4-3 for Djokovic. Previously, the last time they fought against each other, Jannik Sinner won 6-1 6-2 6-7(6) 6-3 in the semifinal in Melbourne (Australian Open) on the 26th of January 2024.
In the following video you can watch the key moments of their match.
Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner |
Embed from Getty Images |