Former World No.5 Jo Wilfried Tsonga is not yet over the loss against current World No.5 Novak Djokovic in the Australian Open 2008 final. He was talking in legends’ voice about still seeking reasons for his loss against the Serbian in that final. After that painful loss, Tsonga got four wins in a row against Djokovic. The Frenchman who was in red-hot form throughout the tournament even got the first set in the final before losing the next three and eventually his best chances of winning a Grand Slam.
Tsonga said, “My whole career I’ve been asking myself why. Why did I lose that final when I beat him 4-5 times in a row after that“. At the same, he also talked about the perfect tennis he played in the semi-finals against the Spanish World No.2 Rafael Nadal, “Frankly, that day, for a moment, all the planets were aligned. I had an unconsciousness at that time that made me do things that I could not do consciously and perhaps never repeats“.
Tsonga continued on how he used to watch the one-sided semifinal highlights of the same tournament against Rafael Nadal in which he won the match in straights, “When I watch the game, there are points, volleys… I say to myself: “What is this? Where did he come from?” I am playing perfect tennis, in perfect conditions for me.” Tsonga defeated Nadal in the semi-finals: 6,2, 6-3, 6-2. In the finals, he lost against Djokovic after winning the first set: 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 7-6(7-2). (Source: Eurosport)
Novak Djokovic will play his 10th Australian Open final on Sunday
The Serbian World No.5 Novak Djokovic has a lot of world records waiting for him on Sunday. If he is able to beat the Greek World No.4 Stefanos Tsitsipas, A record-equaling 22nd Grand Slam is on the cards. At the same time, the title will be his 10th in Australian Open. A feat that no one ever has achieved. Already he holds the record for the most Australian Open titles won. He will also become the World No.1 again if he gets those 3 sets on Sunday.
Djokovic had some hamstring issues at the start of the tournament but he has looked unbeatable since the pre-quarterfinals against Alex De Minaur. The way he dismantled Andrey Rublev and Tommy Paul in the previous rounds is making him a huge favorite to win this final. On the other hand, Tsitsipas got past the Russian World No.20 Karen Khachanov in 4 sets: 7-6(7-2), 6-4, 6-7(6-8), 6-3 to make it into his first Australian Open final.
After the deportation saga that made the Serbian leave Australia in tears last year, Getting back the crown the very next year will be so huge for the already illustrious career of Novak Djokovic and his fans.
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