Tim Henman surprised by Novak Djokovic’s reaction amid Jannik Sinner defeat

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Novak Djokovic took on the Italian fans in Turin

Novak Djokovic took on the Italian fans during his epic match against Jannik Sinner at the ATP Finals and former British No 1 Tim Henman believes the Serbian is relishing his role as the bad boy of tennis.

In what has become a theme of the 2023 tennis season, Djokovic came under fire from fans in the stands and he responded by conducting their jeers, holding his hand to his ear and seemingly enjoying the moment.

Sinner came of age at the ATP Finals in Turin with a first career victory over world number one Novak Djokovic.

The 22-year-old Italian won a three-hour marathon 7-5, 6-7 (5-7), 7-6 (7-2) in a match of high tension and tremendous quality.

Defending champion Djokovic next faces Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz on Thursday in his final group match as he bids to reach the semi-finals.

In front of a raucous home crowd, Sinner grabbed the crucial break in the 11th game, despite finding himself 40-0 down, and then held to love to take the first set.

Djokovic, on a 19-match winning streak, took the second set to a tie-break and was twice a mini-break down before levelling the match, cupping his ear to the spectators.

World No 4 Sinner then played a stunning return game, breaking Djokovic to 15 with a punishing forehand to move 4-2 up in the third.

But with two hours and 40 minutes on the clock, Djokovic finally broke his young opponent for the first time in the match.

At 5-6 Djokovic began conducting the jeering crowd from his seat at the changeover.

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The six-time ATP Finals champion had won 30 tie-breaks this season but number 31 proved elusive as Sinner moved 5-0 up before sealing a statement win with a smash.

“I feel I’m a bit more confident in certain moments but I still have to learn many things,” he said on Amazon Prime.

“I think I was really brave and intelligent, especially in the third set. I think we both played really well.

“It means a lot to me. When you win against the world number one who won 24 grand slams it’s up at the top.”

It was a high-quality match that rarely dropped in it’s intensity from first to last, with Djokovic appearing to enjoy the criticism that was coming his way.

Djokovic has been distracted by negative fans over the course of his career, but he appeared to be eager to take them on in recent months and he followed that trend against Sinner.

In the view of six-time Grand Slam semi-finalist Henman, Djokovic appears to be drawing inspiration from the negativity coming his way.

“Sometimes when Djokovic starts taking on a crowd it is with much more animosity than he showed here,” said Henman.

“Here, he looked like he was enjoying it. Maybe it is a reflection of him ending the year as world No 1 whatever. He was the conductor. Trying to orchestrate the crowd. It seemed he was in good spirits, but he will be disappointed to lose this match.”

Henman went on to suggest Sinner will take a lot from his first win against Djokovic, as his confidence is certain to be boosted.

“It was an amazing night,” added Henman. “Sinner absolutely delivered. I’m so pleased for him, these Italian fans and this event that he managed to come through.

“It could be a major turning point. He’s been doing all the right things, winning a Masters 1000 event and reaching a Grand Slam semi-final, but he has just delivered across the board. He served so well and did such a good job in the deciding tie-break.

“He had the belief to keep going for his shots and get across the finishing line.”

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