Despite Novak Djokovic’s loss to Jannik Sinner at the 2024 Australian Open, his former coach Goran Ivanisevic has spoken out against the negative perception and narrative surrounding the Serb’s performance.
Despite Djokovic’s pursuit of his 11th Australian Open title, his hopes were dashed by Sinner in the semifinals. The Italian claimed a 6-1, 6-2, 6-7(6), 6-3 win en route to earning his first Grand Slam championship.
Despite the media and fans scrutinizing the Serb’s uncharacteristic loss, Goran Ivanisevic, who recently ended his six-year partnership with Novak Djokovic, dismissed the notion of “tragedy”surrounding the defeat.
In a recent Sport Klub interview, he contended that although the Serb did not win in Melbourne, he did not lose in the first round but was instead outplayed by a younger opponent.
“Well, I won’t share exactly what was said but at the end of the day I’m glad I went to America. In Australia I was already pretty fatigued, not just because he lost in the semi-final, he could have won it, and then the stories began about what a tragedy it was that he lost in the semi-final,”he said.
“I mean come on people, nothing tragic happened, it’s not like he lost in the first round, he lost to a young guy who was better, well prepared for everything,”he added.
Ivanisevic made a point to highlight that the World No. 1 was not performing at his usual level during the match.
“I don’t know what happened to Djokovic in that match, he wasn’t himself, and Sinner is too good to not come into the match at near 100 percent, even at 100 percent nothing is guaranteed,”Ivanisevic said.
“Goran Ivanisevic Reflects on Novak Djokovic’s Performance in Australia”
During the interview, Goran Ivanisevic discussed Novak Djokovic’s difficulties at the Australian Open, specifically in the initial rounds and in his quarterfinal match against Taylor Fritz.
The Croatian claimed that although the World No. 1’s performance was enough to secure a victory against less challenging opponents, facing players such as Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, and Daniil Medvedev demanded him to perform at his peak level.
“Throughout that whole period in Australia he was a bit hot and cold, first couple of rounds struggling, then against Mannarino and Etchverry better, against Fritz one or two good sets, then one or two bad sets,”he said.
“I mean his level is so high that he could beat those players with one leg. However, against Sinner, Alcaraz, Medvedev, you have to show up. If Novak A turns up, that’s one thing, if Novak B turns up then we have a problem,”he added.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion will be making his comeback to the court at the Monte-Carlo Masters, starting on April 7th, as he begins his claycourt season.
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