Jannik Sinner issues honest verdict on Novak Djokovic’s ‘focus’ as he makes ‘unusual’ confession

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Jannik Sinner celebrates
Jannik Sinner celebrates at the Australian Open

Jannik Sinner has provided an honest assessment of Novak Djokovic’s struggles in his stunning win over the Serbian in the semi-finals of the 2024 Australian Open. 

The world No 4 recognised Djokovic was not moving or hitting the ball as well as usually does in the first two sets and also felt the 36-year-old did not have his normal level of focus.

Sinner overcame the 24-time Grand Slam champion 6-1, 6-2, 6-7(5), 6-3 in the last four of the Australian Open on Friday to progress to his maiden major final.

The Italian ended Djokovic’s 33-match winning streak at the Melbourne Grand Slam and became the first player to defeat him at the event since Hyeon Chung in 2018.

The 22-year-old will take on either Daniil Medvedev or Alexander Zverev in the Australian Open championship match on Sunday.

READ MORE: Jannik Sinner ‘crashed the Novak Djokovic fan party’ with colossal Australian Open win

Sinner was asked for his thoughts on Djokovic’s performance and explained he recognised the opportunity he had to defeat the world No 1 during the match.

“Yeah, for sure the first two sets I saw that he was not hitting the ball as he used to,” he admitted in his press conference.

“He was also not moving that well, no, and then I think he was also not that focused like we used to see him, no? So I saw this, but in the other way, being No 1, you have to be ready for that he change things up and that he has done before in the third set the level that was even.

“He’s also maybe the best returner we have in the game. Didn’t have one breakpoint, so these are stats what are unusual for him. But in the other way, this can happen, no? In tennis when you have a bad day, it’s also tough to get out as a winner, no?

“So I realised, especially the first sets, he was not playing that great, but I tried to have the intensity as high as possible, and I took the chance.”

The 10-time ATP titlist also declared that the experience of beating Djokovic twice at the end of the 2023 season changed his mentality when facing the Serbian.

“Yeah, for sure. It gives you a better feeling when you know that you can beat one player. For me was a huge privilege end of last year to play against him in ten days for three times, because obviously you can practice with him, but the match is always different,” Sinner said.

“So I feel like this for sure helped me in one way, but in the other way, it’s as I said before, Grand Slam also mentally it’s different. I just tried to play also as relaxed as possible but also having the right game plan in my mind. I think today it worked really well.”

READ MORE: Boris Becker ‘surprised’ by Novak Djokovic reaction after Australian Open loss

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