Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic is on a quest to win a record seventh Nitto ATP Finals title this year. Local boy Jannik Sinner has just derailed his plans, though, as he defeated him in front of a packed house. Since his loss to Sinner, Novak has opened up about his biggest threats.
Sinner finally snapped Novak’s 19-match winning streak in Turin last night. It was a spectacular display of skills and athleticism, as Jannik got his first win over the Serb. The crowd was also very loud in their support of Sinner and booed Novak whenever they could.
Following his loss to Sinner, Djokovic opened up about feeling like his rivals were putting a target on his back. Sinner handed Novak his first loss in four months when he defeated him 7-5, 6-7(5), 7-6(2). It was the Serb’s first loss since the epic Wimbledon summit clash against Carlos Alcaraz. It was also his first ATP Finals loss since 2021.
Djokovic says everyone wants his head
“It seems like Holger Rune, Carlos Alcaraz, & Jannik Sinner are extra motivated when they play you”
Novak: “I think it’s normal, they want to get to where I got to. This happens everywhere I play. Everyone wants my head. Jannik got it… pic.twitter.com/BNnmLN1HXw
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) November 15, 2023
Following the encounter with Sinner, Novak opened up about his rivals and how motivated they must be now. He named Sinner, Alcaraz, and Holger Rune as the players to watch out for.
“It seems like Holger Rune, Carlos Alcaraz, and Jannik Sinner are extra motivated when they play you. I think it’s normal, they want to get to where I got to. This happens everywhere I play. Everyone wants my head,” he said (via Daily Express).
Sinner agreed that it was the biggest win of his career since he got the better of the world number one. He will cherish this victory for a long time. While Sinner revels in this sweet victory, let us take a closer look at how Novak has fared against each one of them.
Novak Djokovic vs. Jannik Sinner, head-to-head
The two players have clashed four times in their careers now. Until their encounter in Turin, Novak had a positive head-to-head against the Italian player, with three wins under his belt. Their previous encounter was at Wimbledon, where Djokovic defeated him in straight sets.
FORZA JANNIK❗
🇮🇹 Jannik Sinner has snapped Novak Djokovic’s 19-match winning streak with a 7-5 6-7(5) 7-6(2) win at the ATP Finals. 💪👏
The 22-year-old is the first player to beat the 24-time Grand Slam champion in 121 DAYS, since he fell to Alcaraz in the Wimbledon final:
— TENNIS (@Tennis) November 14, 2023
However, Sinner staged a remarkable win over Novak in Turin. This victory was made sweeter by the fact that it came in front of his home crowd. Sinner played fearlessly and, in the end, got the result he wanted.
Novak vs. Alcaraz head-to-head
Djokovic and Alcaraz have developed one of the biggest rivalries in recent times. Their matches are always a delight for tennis fans, as they bring out the best in each other.
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Alcaraz and Djokovic have played against each other four times, and so far, they are evenly matched. Carlos was the player who stopped the Djokovic juggernaut at the Wimbledon final earlier this year. Djokovic got his revenge on the young Spaniard when he defeated him at the Cincinnati Final.
Djokovic vs. Rune head-to-head
Rune and Djokovic have also formed an interesting rivalry in recent times. They met as recently as the first match of the ATP Finals, where Novak Djokovic defeated Rune.
So far, they have faced off against each other five times, with Djokovic winning three of them. However, Rune showed his class when he defeated the Serb in the final of the Paris Masters last year.
Sinner, Alcaraz, and Rune are the most exciting young talents in the sport at present. Even with Novak still reigning supreme, these players are ones to keep an eye out for!