Coco Gauff Calls Novak Djokovic an ‘Alien’ After His Dramatic Win Over Daniil Medvedev at China Open

Novak Djokovic‘s grueling match against Daniil Medvedev at the age of 39 left Coco Gauff in complete awe. The American ace crashed out of the tournament after her defeat to Elise Mertens in the fourth round.

But before that, she watched Djokovic challenge his fellow former World No. 1, who was defaulted after hitting a spectator. Prior to that incident, Djokovic had spent more than two hours on the court.

I mean, it’s an alien, honestly. I was watching the match. I mean, even from Daniil, it was just like there is no unforced errors to win these points. It was the same level, two hours and whatever, 30 minutes for two sets, which is insane. It was an unfortunate ending, but I’m glad it got finished in two sets, otherwise, we would be here much later. Novak is an alien. I don’t know how he does it, honestly, at this age. So good, I don’t know.

Coco Gauff said at the press conference (H/T: Tennis World USA)

Gauff’s campaign ended after major controversy. During her third-round match against Sun Xinran, Gauff raised her hand when the 16-year-old returned a shot that would have been a winner. Gauff complained to the chair umpire that the advertising boards around the court flickered, and so the point was replayed, which Gauff won. She went on to win the match 7-6, 6-1.

She lost her fourth-round match 6-3, 6-3 to Mertens, against whom Gauff previously held a perfect 5-0 head-to-head record. The 22-year-old withdrew from the Wuhan Open, where she is the reigning champion, due to fatigue.

Novak Djokovic repeats he wants to play the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics

Following the match against Daniil Medvedev, Novak Djokovic once again talked about his goal of competing at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. He is convinced that if his health problems get resolved soon, he fully sees himself competing at the quadrennial event.

Game-wise, it doesn’t feel far, to be honest, because when I’m feeling good health-wise, I have proven many times in the last couple of years that I can beat the best players in the world.

Novak Djokovic said at the press conference (H/T: Tennis365)

It was at the Olympics two years ago in Paris that Djokovic last lifted a Big Title by defeating Carlos Alcaraz in the final. Djokovic has been dealing with a persistent health issue that worsens in hot, humid conditions, which is why he struggled in his opening-round defeats at the Cincinnati Masters and the US Open.

That’s what I’ve been proving also this week. I’m not concerned about my game or the state of mind. I’m just concerned about the physical health issues that I’ve been trying to get to the bottom of. Once that’s resolved completely, hopefully soon, then I don’t see an issue getting to L.A.

Novak Djokovic added

Djokovic now holds an 11-5 head-to-head record over the 2021 US Open champion. In the final of the China Open, Djokovic received a walkover from Alex de Minaur. He won this title for the seventh time in his career and is unbeaten in the tournament.

The 24-time Grand Slam champion will next compete at the Shanghai Masters, where Valentin Vacherot will defend his title. Djokovic, a four-time winner in this tournament, also reached the final in 2024, losing it to Jannik Sinner.

Djokovic played his second final of the season in Beijing after the Australian Open. He defeated Sinner in the semifinals but lost to Alcaraz in the final.

Also read: Andy Roddick Says Daniil Medvedev ‘Deserved to Be Defaulted’ After Novak Djokovic China Open Match