‘I have a couple more gears’ – Novak Djokovic not worried by Mubadala defeat
Novak Djokovic insisted there were plenty of positives to take despite losing to Stefanos Tsitsipas at the Mubadala World Tennis Championship.
The Serb was playing his first match of pre-season, and started strongly against the recently crown ATP Finals champion, but faded after the first set before losing 3-6, 7-6 (7-4), 6-4.
However, he says he is not worried, and if fact he is very happy with his performance given his shortened off-season due to representing Serbia at the Davis Cup last month.
“It was a two-hour match and there were a lot of great exchanges and great rallies,” Djokovic told reporters after the match.
“I’m actually very pleased with the way I’m moving on the court, but I still feel that I have a couple more gears I will be working on in the next couple of weeks.
“The aim is to hit my best possible form just before the Australian Open or even for the ATP Cup.
“The off-season wasn’t that long, and I only recently started playing tennis again, so it was positive.”
Djokovic heads to Melbourne as the defending champion after beating Rafael Nadal in the final last year.
Follow us on Twitter @T365Official and like our Facebook page.
Latest
-
ATP TourDaniil Medvedev in line to complete incredibly unique milestone
Daniil Medvedev is just one match win away from winning a 21st ATP Tour title in a 21st different city.
-
Tennis NewsCoco Gauff labels latest triumph ‘a mental victory’ after coming back from the brink
Coco Gauff pulls out incredible fighting win in China.
-
ATP TourCarlos Alcaraz confesses to tactical errors in stunning loss to Jannik Sinner
Carlos Alcaraz has admitted to slipping up against Jannik Sinner.
-
Tennis NewsElena Rybakina claims ‘many players are not happy’ about performance bye rules
Elena Rybakina has reiterated her complaints about the performance bye system.
-
ATP TourJannik Sinner exposes Carlos Alcaraz’s big weakness with a stunning win in China
Sinner moved one clear in his head-to-head clashes with Wimbledon champion Alcaraz as he notched up a 7-6(4) 6-1 win in Beijing.
-
WTA TourCoco Gauff breaks through another prize money barrier with latest win in China
Coco Gauff is second on the prize money list in the women’s game in 2023.
-
Tennis NewsWATCH: Agonising default in Shanghai as ball smashes into umpire at high speed
Polmans his out-of-control swipe had desperate consequences as he smashed the ball at the chair umpire and was given an instant default.
-
Australian OpenAustralian Open chiefs announce huge schedule change for first Grand Slam of 2024
The new Sunday start will see an increase in the number of sessions across the three arenas from 47 to 52.
-
OlympicsWill Novak Djokovic play until 2028 if his Olympic dream is shattered in Paris?
Will Novak Djokovic play at the 2028 Olympics?
-
NewsWhy did Ryder Cup hero Rory McIlroy break up with tennis star Caroline Wozniacki?
Rory McIlroy broke up with Caroline Wozniacki just as they started making wedding plans in 2014.