Serbia’s Novak Djokovic reacts in the course of the males’s doubles semifinal tennis match between Italy and Serbia of the Davis Cup tennis match on the Martin Carpena sportshall, in Malaga on November 25, 2023. (Picture by LLUIS GENE / AFP)
Novak Djokovic stated he accepts duty for Serbia’s Davis Cup semifinal defeat to Italy on Saturday after failing to transform three match factors in opposition to Jannik Sinner.
The world primary had his Italian counterpart on the ropes within the second singles rubber at 5-4 up, however allowed Sinner to get well and win 6-2, 2-6, 7-5 to drive the doubles decider.
Djokovic and Miomir Kecmanovic, who had received the opening singles rubber in opposition to Lorenzo Musetti, had been defeated by Sinner and Lorenzo Sonego 6-3, 6-4 and left Malaga disenchanted.
“For me personally it’s an enormous disappointment, as a result of I take the duty, clearly having three match factors, being so near win it,” Djokovic instructed reporters.
“Yeah, it’s unlucky actually. That is sport. If you lose to your nation, you understand, the bitter feeling is even higher.”
Djokovic stated it was “robust to swallow” the defeat, in a contest he was determined to win with Serbia for the second time after their solely triumph in 2010, which he was a part of.
The 36-year-old Serb, a file 24-time males’s Grand Slam winner, stated he thought world quantity 4 Sinner’s degree may dip, however the Italian was relentless.
“I do know Jannik’s high quality, however, you understand, I used to be considering possibly he’s gonna drop a bit bit, you understand, within the doubles, however he didn’t,” stated Djokovic.
“He saved the extent extraordinarily excessive, and on the finish of the singles match, additionally third set, I had a whole lot of probabilities to interrupt him and was in his service video games, however each time he wanted he discovered the serve.”
Djokovic congratulated Sinner, who has now overwhelmed him thrice in 4 matches throughout 11 days.
Sinner received within the ATP Finals group stage final week however Djokovic responded by beating the Italian to win the trophy.
“They deserved it, they performed rather well, notably Jannik, in singles in opposition to me after which doubles, as effectively,” added Djokovic.
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“He barely missed the ball your complete match … you’ll be able to solely say congrats.”