"Credit to him for his game plan and serving big, he deserves a big round of applause" 👏👏 Novak Djokovic was full of praise for Alexei Popyrin after an intense battle between the two 🤝 #AusOpen
"I've been still trying to find a form": Novak Djokovic left searching for answers after off colour win over Alexei Popyrin
ATPWednesday, 17 January 2024 at 15:55
It was a second win in a row in which Novak Djokovic was left searching for answers at the 2024 Australian Open as he saw off home favourite Alexei Popyrin 6-3, 4-6, 7-6(4), 6-3 on Wednesday. Speaking after the defeat of Popyrin, he admitted that he is still searching for answers and his best form.
Doubts have swelled after Djokovic admitted he wasn't 100% last round and a tissue was seen falling out of his pocket potentially showing an illness of some kind and he also puts it down to those in the early rounds having no fear and it is very much win-win in terms of their careers. First Dino Prizmic and now Popyrin.
"I sincerely hope so [that I get better on the court], that's what it’s going to take for me to go deep in the tournament. I haven't been playing my best, I've been still trying to find a form," he said.
"Particularly in the early rounds, you play players that have nothing to lose really. They come out on the center court trying to play their best, best match, best tennis. And both my first and second round opponents were really really great quality tennis players and I managed to find a way to win. Hopefully, I'll be able to build this as tournament progresses," he added.
"He had quite an easy forehand and he missed it. You know, I didn't do anything special. I was lucky, that point in that game to get away. He was the better player I think for a set and a half, I think second set and third set he was a better player," he said.
"Things changed around. I think, the momentum shifted in the tie break. I managed to, I guess, put one ball more in the court than he did. So that's all. I mean, I don't think I've played maybe at the highest level, it's on the instances. But also credit to him for tactically coming out with the right game plan and serving big. He deserves a big round of applause for the performance," he added.
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