“Far better player than me,” Novak Djokovic makes shocking confession about Jannik Sinner as he revisits 2024 Australian Open loss against the Italian

Djokovic also admitted of not preparing well before the Melbourne tournament.

“Far better player than me,” Novak Djokovic makes shocking confession about Jannik Sinner as he revisits 2024 Australian Open loss against the Italian

Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner (Via Imago)

It is not every day that one witnesses Novak Djokovic lose at the Australian Open. With over 10 tournament titles, the Serbian had a 100% success rate in the semi-finals of the Happy Slam. However, the world was turned upside down for the Serbian who witnessed his first-ever Australian Open semi-final loss to the young Jannik Sinner. 

In what seemed like a disappointing encounter, Djokovic lost to Sinner and failed to defend his title. Sinner went on to become one of the youngest Italians to win the title. Although Djokovic admitted to not being in his best form, he equally gave credit to Sinner for his historic achievement. Ahead of his Indian Wells run, the World No.1 made a few confessions about Sinner and his maiden Grand Slam win. 

YouTube video
I don’t think I played my best tennis in Australia, whereas Jannik did, and he was just a far better player than me that day. And after that, he made an incredible comeback in the final and won his first title. So it was absolutely deserved.
Djokovic via the Indian Wells Press.

The Italian, who had never entered a Grand Slam semi-finals, beat the 10-time Australian Champion in his backyard. The ride only got better for Sinner, who made a comeback in the finals of the Australian Open and won the match from two sets down to lift his first-ever Grand Slam title. 

FS Video

Novak Djokovic admitted to not having had a proper rest and preparation time before AO

In a recent interview via Indian Wells Press, Novak Djokovic spoke about his semi-final loss against Jannik Sinner. The Serb admitted to not having had proper preparation and rest ahead of the tournament. 

Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner
Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner (Via Imago)
I didn’t feel like I really had the proper time to rest and to do a proper preparation block like maybe I would normally do.

After the Nitto ATP Finals in November, the Serbian played a couple of exhibition matches before starting his United Cup run. This took place in Australia, just before the first Grand Slam of the season. As he said, he did not have much time to rest between tournaments and prepare for the Australian Open. 

The lack of preparation was seen in his first game itself. Not serving his best, due to a small forearm strain, the Serbian faced many difficulties in Australia, eventually losing to Sinner in the semi-finals. Now, after a month’s rest, the World No.1 is back in action at the Indian Wells and will soon play his first match. After Australia, Djokovic aims at redemption in California, heading into the French Open. 

In Case You Missed It: