Novak Djokovic accused of giving up during Jannik Sinner showdown by Italian tennis legend

Novak Djokovic played out an absolute epic with Jannik Sinner during the Shanghai Masters losing out in the final to the great Serbian. But Adriana Panatta who has often been controversial accused him of giving up.

Panatta spoke to Corriere Dello Sport and said that Djokovic played well for an hour but gave up from there. He said that he resigned himself in his view to giving up.

Albeit also that he didn't want to resign himself to leaving the court being humiliated. He did say though that he prefers Federer over Djokovic. So perhaps not the best sample size when it comes to assessing greatness.

“He played well, but for exactly one hour,” the former world No. 4 told Corriere Dello Sport.

“After the first set there was no more match, so I think that Djokovic also resigns himself to giving up.

“I think that a player like him who was probably the best of all time in terms of results, is not a player who can allow himself to leave the court, I don't say humiliated, but with a good beating from Sinner.”

Panatta added: “I'm a little sorry, because I have great admiration for Djokovic, I always say that I didn't love Djokovic, but that's not true. I loved Federer more.”