SUMMARY
- Jannik Sinner handed Novak Djokovic a crushing defeat at the Australian Open this year.
- However, reports suggest that the Serbian was sick the day before the match.
Even though the curtains have come down on the Australian Open, the buzz around it has not faded at all. The first major of the year was as exciting as it was intense, and it produced some of the most memorable moments ever. One of the biggest talking points has been Jannik Sinner’s run and how he decimated Novak Djokovic.
The Serbian star was on the hunt for his 11th title at Melbourne Park this year. He looked far from his best when he launched his campaign, but he gradually found his rhythm. However, he looked clueless when he took on Sinner in the semifinal. Jannik outplayed Djokovic and shattered his hopes for the 25th major title of his career.
The Italian gave Djokovic no room to work with and handed him his first semifinal loss at Melbourne Park. Now, reports suggest that Novak got sick the night before the semifinal. It is the primary reason for his shocking loss to Sinner.
According to reports from Serbia, Djokovic got sick the night before facing Sinner. “That’s why he played so bad in the first two sets, you could see he was so weak”, said Luka Nikolic
— Luigi Gatto (@gigicat7_) January 30, 2024
Luka Nikolic, a journalist for Meridian Sport Global, broke the news recently. Nikolic reported that Djokovic had been sick for three weeks and then suffered a relapse. He did not want to go to a doctor because he did not want to make a fuss out of his ailment.
Since this news has come to the fore, fans are very unhappy with Djokovic. Many believe that this excuse is an insult to his opponent. One fan commented, “That excuse was expected.” Here are a few reactions.
Always looking for an excuse
So he can’t lose without something happening because he is a robotThis is an insult to his opponent
— Atinuke Esan (@SucreMamito124) January 30, 2024
That excuse was expected 😂
— RAHUL ACHARYA (@rahul_acharya69) January 30, 2024
Since defeating Novak Djokovic, Jannik Sinner has gone on to win the Australian Open title. He displayed remarkable mental strength and skills, earning plaudits from all quarters.
How Jannik Sinner countered Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open
The young Italian has been in remarkable form of late. His career is on the upswing, and he kept adding titles to his name, and now he is a Grand Slam champion too.
Sinner‘s title run at the Australian Open was nothing short of inspirational, particularly how he dismantled Novak. Former star Andy Roddick shared an insight into his tactical brilliance and how he countered Djokovic. Andy broke down Sinner’s play on the first episode of the Served with Andy Roddick podcast.
“He’s one of the rare guys that has enough firepower – and you have to have the firepower in both hands, on both sides of your body, forehand and backhand – in order to effect Novak in the way that he did,” said Roddick (via Tennis365).
Jannik Sinner has now defeated Novak Djokovic three times out of the four matches they have played against each other. As the season progresses, Sinner will hope to carry this momentum forward. Djokovic, on the other hand, will try to bounce back harder after this crushing loss.