Tennis Prose




Nov/21

1

Djokovic Paris Press Conference

Novak Djokovic has spoken out at Paris Rolex Masters for the first time since his bittersweet US Open final three-set loss to Medvedev. The world no. 1 says his failure to achieve the all time ATP Grand Slam record of 21, instead blessed him with an adoration and respect from the tennis world he had never felt before…

“I have learned over the years to deal with losses in such way that I treat them as great opportunities for growth. I feel that the US Open loss in the final has arrived arguably at the worst or at the best time for me, in a way,” Djokovic said. “Of course I’m disappointed that I lost the match, but I feel like I was blessed to experience love from the crowd and support from the stadium that I have never experienced before in my life in New York, and actually not in many places around the world. That kind of energy that I received from the crowd from the moment I stepped on the court until I stepped out is a win for life.”

Djokovic is on course to set the ATP record for seven years as world no. 1 but will have to thwart the efforts of his friend Medvedev…

“The year-end No. 1 is on the line between Medvedev and myself, and I’m in a pretty good position. That’s obviously the goal for the end of the season other than trying to do well in the Davis Cup with the national team. So hopefully I can have a strong finish of the season and clinch that year-end No. 1.”

“I’m pleased to be back. I have been training really well [the] past couple of weeks. And I have had plenty of success in Paris-Bercy over the years, so that gives me enough reason to believe that I can do well, and I can go far in the tournament. But having said that, the lack of match play could be dangerous, so I have to really make sure that I start off my first match very well with a good intensity and build my form as that match passes on and hopefully get a win and get myself more comfortable on this court and just getting that match play in.”

Djokovic will begin his Paris quest vs the winner of Fognini vs. Fucsovics, both players he’s never lost to (Fognini 8, Fucsovics 3).

ATP web site chart showing how Djokovic can clinch no. 1 this week…

  • Djokovic wins Paris title (regardless of Medvedev’s Paris finish)
  • Djokovic reaches Paris final + Medvedev does not win Paris title
  • Djokovic reaches Paris SF + Medvedev does not reach Paris final
  • Djokovic reaches Paris QF + Medvedev does not reach Paris SF
  • Djokovic reaches Paris 3R + Medvedev does not reach Paris SF
  • Medvedev does not reach Paris QF (regardless of Djokovic’s Paris finish)

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3 comments

  • Scoop Malinowski · November 1, 2021 at 10:11 am

    Losing that US OPen final may be a blessing in disguise. He may have gained more fans with that loss than any of his GS victories. It will be very interesting to see how this change affects his competitive spirit, determination and overall energy. Remember how this sport is all about fractions and edges.

  • Scoop Malinowski · November 1, 2021 at 6:10 pm

    Another devastating loss for Murray, this time 1R to LL Dominik Koepfer. 10-8 in third set tiebreaker. Murray struggling to finish off matches. He’s there in position to win but loses. Blown through 13 wildcards and didn’t threaten to win any titles. Reminds me of Chang at the end, close in so many matches but he’s always lose. Ranking crashed outside top 100 and that was it. Murray is around 141 now and with all the wildcards he actually droppped from a year ago. Next year will be only harder. It may be the end of Murray, too much mileage on his engine, he’s still a great player but he doesn’t win matches anymore. Just the occasional flash of brilliance here and there.

  • Scoop Malinowski · November 1, 2021 at 7:19 pm

    F Lopez and Verdasco playing doubles together as WC at Tenerife Challenger. Both in singles too trying to scrape uo some late season points. Last time they played doubles together had to be about almost a decade ago. They last played singles at US open about six years ago and Lopez muttered to his box in the third set that Verdasco “was the worst player in the draw.” A Spanish guy next to me heard it and understood Spanish. The things friends – or former friends – say in the heat of battle.

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