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It was expected that Novak Djokovic would conclude his season with the US Open title after his gold medal at the Paris Olympics and his masterful performance in the final against Carlos Alcaraz. However, things did not go as planned for the experienced Serbian, as Djokovic lost to Alexei Popyrin in the third round of the US Open.
At the press conference following his defeat, Djokovic’s frustration was palpable, as he considered it one of his worst performances. Many aspects of his game were off, and despite his efforts to make adjustments, nothing seemed to work. His opponent had a solution for everything, and as Djokovic mentioned, Popyrin didn’t have to exert too much effort to secure the win over him.
“I have played some of the worst tennis I have ever played, honestly,” Djokovic said, as quoted by AP.
“Serving — by far — the worst ever.”
The world’s second-ranked tennis player admitted that his game was far from his best. Although he felt physically okay and motivated, sometimes you have matches that can derail you, and you have to find a way to get back on track. The experienced player stressed that he hasn’t had many similar matches in his career, given that his mental strength and dedication are exemplary. Djokovic is known for bouncing back even when no one believed in him. However, there are times when you have to face such moments and focus on the future.
“It was just an awful match for me. I wasn’t playing even close to my best. It’s not good to be in that kind of state where you feel OK physically, and of course you’re motivated because it’s a Grand Slam, but you just are not able to find your game. That’s it. The game is falling apart, and I guess you have to accept that tournaments like this happen.”-Novak Djokovic said.
The Olympic tournament had an impact on his game. Djokovic explained that he didn’t feel mentally or psychologically fresh. He noted that the different surface at the US Open contributed to this feeling. He mentioned that he expended a lot of energy winning the gold medal and arrived in New York not fully refreshed. Although he didn’t have physical issues, he felt like he was running on empty. From the first match, he struggled to find his rhythm on the court. He acknowledged that this is all he could say about the situation, emphasized that life goes on, and expressed his intention to regroup and see what comes next.
He didn’t have an answer for his poor service.
He explained that he didn’t know what went wrong. His performance fell apart completely, and he wasn't feeling fresh. The fast playing conditions were very different from what he had been used to in his training. Playing under these circumstances and feeling the way he did was distressing for him. At times, he felt and looked like an amateur. He acknowledged that this is part of the reality of sports. Djokovic also mentioned that the experience at the Olympics was a huge disappointment, to the point where he even questioned whether he should continue participating. Despite the disappointing outcome, he is determined to move forward.
Novak Djokovic on his service
This great player didn’t have an explanation for his poor service. He admitted that he was at a loss and didn't really know what went wrong. His game fell apart, and he wasn’t feeling fresh. The fast playing conditions were very different from what he was used to in training. This made it tough for him to play effectively and impacted his performance. He recognized that this was part of the reality of sports. The experience at the Olympics was a major disappointment, and he even questioned whether he should continue competing. Despite the poor outcome, he is determined to move on.
This will be an important lesson for the experienced Serbian player, who hasn’t faced many such moments in his career, but it’s all part of life. It’s hard to say this will be a lesson for him given his extensive experience. He has had many lessons throughout his career, but there's no doubt he will find his way back after this. The 37-year-old is eager to make improvements in upcoming tournaments and to show that he still belongs at the top of the rankings. The Olympics served as a reminder of this, but Novak will need to continue at the same pace moving forward.
Alcaraz also did not have a great performance. The US Open brought many surprises this year, and that is the reason why we love this sport so much.
English (US) ·