After a heart-wrenching defeat at the Wimbledon 2023 finals to rising star Carlos Alcaraz, 23-time Grand Slam titan Novak Djokovic opened up about the emotional aftermath. While the loss derailed his Calendar Slam aspirations, Djokovic showcased his unparalleled resilience, confessing he had put the defeat behind him within a day. The Serb had been in prime form, bagging both the Australian Open and French Open titles earlier that season. Notably, Djokovic had quashed Alcaraz's challenge at Roland Garros but faced a revitalized opponent at Wimbledon.
Speaking ahead of his match in Cincinnati, Djokovic candidly remarked, "It's not the first or the last match that I lost, so I was over it in a day,. Obviously, I needed some really good rest after that, and some time with my family, and that's what I did. So, of course, I was regretting not using the chances during that final."
"I was (a) set up and had some set points in the second and I felt that I was close to being in the lead. And then, obviously, some break points in the fifth. It was a close match, but well deserved from his side, because to win he played better in the important moments, and that's what I said after the final. I think he was a deserved winner and that's it really, pretty much. You move on," he added. ex
Centre Court had been Djokovic's fortress for a decade, making this loss even more significant. Paying tribute to Alcaraz's prowess, Djokovic, known for his tenacity and formidable gameplay, admitted, "I haven't played a player like him ever, to be honest." He extolled Alcaraz's performance, conceding that he was outplayed by the superior athlete on that day.
However, it was a poignant moment between Djokovic and his son Stefan that truly touched the audience's core. Overwhelmed with emotion, Djokovic, with tears in his eyes, said to his son who was in the stands, "It's nice to see my son still smiling." His heartfelt proclamation, "I love you, thank you for supporting me...," echoed profoundly, encapsulating the emotional depth of the moment.
Post-Wimbledon, Djokovic is primed to compete at the Western and Southern Open in Cincinnati, where he will challenge Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the opening round. After skipping last year's US Open owing to Covid-19 constraints, the world-renowned Serbian tennis icon is raring to showcase his indomitable spirit and skill.
Djokovic, fueled with renewed passion and ambition, articulated, "I like the feeling that I have after 20 plus years of professional tennis. There's still fire going."
"There's still that drive and motivation to really come at the biggest events in sport and try to win, try to win titles and try to bring some good sensation to the crowds," he added.
MORE ON SPORTS TAK:
Wasim Jaffer tears into India's bizarre batting strategy after shock T20I series defeat against West Indies
'I have admitted defeat': England fast bowler, who won Ashes thrice, surrenders to injury, announces retirement from cricket