Smile if you’re the only man to beat Djokovic in an Australian Open semifinal. Novak was 20-0 in Australian Open semifinals… before today. Jannik Sinner is built different. 🇮🇹
"I don't usually see him this relaxed after defeats": Boris Becker left baffled at Novak Djokovic accepting Jannik Sinner defeat
ATPSaturday, 27 January 2024 at 07:53
Boris Becker says that Novak Djokovic struggled in all of his matches, but that it was more the resignation from the 24-time Grand Slam champion to defeat against Jannik Sinner that shocked him the most.
Becker spoke to Eurosport afterwards and said that he was shocked about how Sinner did it and that he came up against a stronger opponent in a rarely seen sight.
"I'm not surprised that Jannik Sinner won, but I am surprised by the way he did it," said Becker on Eurosport.
"He actually had to win in the third set. The likeable South Tyrolean was already knocking on the door last year and is now growing up. He kept cool and served well right to the end. The fact that Novak Djokovic - the best return player of all time - didn't have a single break point against Sinner is the story of the match.
"In terms of form, it wasn't his [Djokovic's] best Australian Open. He struggled with his form, his rhythm and his serve in almost all of his matches. And then today he came up against a stronger opponent,"
"These are surprising pictures. I don't usually see him this relaxed after defeats. Perhaps he has realised that he doesn't have the form at the moment and that he didn't lose due to bad luck, but that the other player was simply better today.
"That's what makes a champion, recognising that today just wasn't his day."
"He actually had to win in the third set. The likeable South Tyrolean was already knocking on the door last year and is now growing up. He kept cool and served well right to the end. The fact that Novak Djokovic - the best return player of all time - didn't have a single break point against Sinner is the story of the match.
"In terms of form, it wasn't his [Djokovic's] best Australian Open. He struggled with his form, his rhythm and his serve in almost all of his matches. And then today he came up against a stronger opponent,"
"These are surprising pictures. I don't usually see him this relaxed after defeats. Perhaps he has realised that he doesn't have the form at the moment and that he didn't lose due to bad luck, but that the other player was simply better today.
"That's what makes a champion, recognising that today just wasn't his day."
It was a point also confirmed by Justine Henin who praised Sinner, but admitted that given the poor form off the racquet of Djokovic that it had been coming.
"[Djokovic] had already been in a lot of trouble against Fritz on break points. He showed a few negative signs during this Australian Open.
"We all know his ability to bounce back all the time. In fact, he did so on several occasions during the tournament. Today, It was the lack of reaction that surprised us.
"Sinner's level was very, very good and we could have expected that. But the number of unforced errors, Novak Djokovic's slowness, his inability to react... that was rather unpredictable.
"Djokovic was lucid enough to say so. But that doesn't take anything away from the fact that you can admire your opponent and say: 'This is one of my worst Grand Slam matches'. Because I think it's true."
"We all know his ability to bounce back all the time. In fact, he did so on several occasions during the tournament. Today, It was the lack of reaction that surprised us.
"Sinner's level was very, very good and we could have expected that. But the number of unforced errors, Novak Djokovic's slowness, his inability to react... that was rather unpredictable.
"Djokovic was lucid enough to say so. But that doesn't take anything away from the fact that you can admire your opponent and say: 'This is one of my worst Grand Slam matches'. Because I think it's true."
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