Novak Djokovic was looking for his greatest tennis all through Friday’s semi-final on the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. But following a 6-4, 6-4 defeat to Daniil Medvedev, the World No. 1 didn’t should look too far to search out the important thing cause behind his first lack of the season.
“I lost to a better opponent,” Djokovic mentioned in his post-match press convention. “I know that I didn’t play well in some decisive moments, but it was also due to his quality of tennis. It’s unfortunate I had some really bad mistakes in the first set to give him the second break. But this is tennis. You learn from your mistakes and from the defeats, and hopefully next time I’ll be better.”
The 35-year-old, who entered the match an ideal 15-0 in 2023, complimented the World No. 7’s consistency and defence as the important thing components in Friday’s contest as he struggled to search out his personal rhythm. The World No. 1 dedicated 38 unforced errors to Medvedev’s 12. Although the 22-time main champion nonetheless holds a 9-5 ATP Head2Headvert benefit over Medvedev, he is aware of that the 27-year-old’s counterpunching capacity can carry even one of the best gamers unglued.
Medvedev Ends Djokovic’s Unbeaten Run In Dubai
“He extracts and provokes unforced errors from everybody because that’s his game, that’s what he does,” Djokovic mentioned. “He does it extremely well. He’s very patient. He’s very athletic. For his height, he moves well. Backhand is one of the most consistent strokes that you have in today’s game.”
Despite struggling his first straight-sets defeat for the reason that 2022 Laver Cup (l. Auger-Aliassime), Djokovic is remaining upbeat. Though he received’t be lifting the Dubai trophy for a sixth time, the Belgrade native nonetheless made historical past Monday by marking his 378th week as World No. 1, surpassing Stefanie Graf’s report for many weeks atop the game by a males’s or ladies’s participant.
A two-time titlist this yr, Djokovic said that he’s leaving the U.A.E. happy with the restoration progress he’s made since struggling a hamstring harm in Australia.
“Lots of positives,” Djokovic mentioned. “The way I felt throughout the entire week makes me really satisfied with the current state of my body, not knowing how I [was] going to react with the comeback after an injury. I’m really glad. We move on to the next challenge.”
Djokovic’s instant enjoying schedule depends upon the result of his request for an exemption to the United States’ entry necessities for non residents, who should present proof of Covid-19 vaccination earlier than getting into the nation. If Djokovic will not be granted an exemption and misses Indian Wells and Miami, his subsequent match might be in Monte Carlo.
“I’m still waiting for the news from America,” Djokovic mentioned. “If there’s no America, I guess I’ll play clay. Monte Carlo is probably the next tournament. If that’s the case, I’ll take some time off, I’ll prepare. Clay is the most demanding surface. It takes more time than any other surface to prepare for.”
Regardless if his subsequent match is performed on a tough courtroom or clay, Djokovic is raring for his subsequent battle.
“I take every tournament, every match very seriously, dedicate my whole life to this,” Djokovic mentioned. “So, after all, it hurts while you lose. I care about each match. But on the similar time you simply should launch it and go ahead.
“Good thing about tennis is that you always have another opportunity. So many tournaments. Basically every week you have another chance to reconcile, so to say, [and] rewrite your history once again. I’m looking forward to the challenges to come.”
Source web site: www.atptour.com
