If you need advice on falling two sets behind in the Wimbledon quarterfinals, there’s certainly no one better than the man who won the last three titles. What was easy for top seed Novak Djokovic on Tuesday (July 5) after leaving center court for a toilet break was, in his own words, ‘dominated’ by 20-year-old Italian Jannik Sinner.
The 35-year-old Serbian admitted to addressing himself in the mirror and everything he said clearly worked as the 20-time Grand Slam champion won 5-7, 2-6, 6-3, 6 on center court. Inspired and returned. 2,6-2 win. Asked if it was a tick-off, Djokovic said it was a friendly conversation.
“There was no aggression. It was just a positive thing, a positive thing,” Djokovic, who reached his 43rd Grand Slam semifinal and 11th place at Wimbledon, told reporters. “As much negative as you about yourself in those moments. And feel let down, no matter how fake or fake it sounds to you, it actually gives you an impact and support. It kind of rejuvenates itself.”
An outrageous rally, sealed in style @janniksin #wimbledon , #centrecourt100 pic.twitter.com/D1HLofmlLj— Wimbledon (@wimbledon) 5 July 2022
Djokovic returns after breaking serve early In the third set and, sensing self-doubt, Sinner ruthlessly took control as he began connecting the lines with his serve and groundstroke. This was in contrast to the opening two sets when Djokovic looked short of ideas for once, as the 10th-seeded sinner dominated baseline exchanges with power and accuracy.
“After that, I honestly played a new match. From the start of the third, I actually played three very solid, very high quality tennis sets,” Djokovic said. “I found my rhythm and pace on the shots. I think That sinner, you know, didn’t have much to lose coming into the match, but he had a lot to lose when he had two sets to love. I can feel mentally with him was. ”
In just one year out of 13, Djokovic has failed to reach at least one Grand Slam final – the last time he lost a match at Wimbledon in 2017. After being relegated from Australia, losing to Rafa Nadal in the French Open quarter, and likely to be banned from the US Open if not vaccinated against COVID-19, Djokovic now needs Briton Cameron Norie to maintain that record. will have to defeat.
“I know his game very well. He’s been around. Of course I’ll do my homework and get ready,” Djokovic said.
(with Reuters inputs)