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Former world No. 6 Gael Monfils insists the US Open final defeat that Novak Djokovic didn't change much since he believes the Serb is still the men to beat. Djokovic, 34, won the Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon and he was on the verge of winning the US Open.
In the US Open final, Djokovic crushed under the pressure and suffered a straight-set loss to Daniil Medvedev. Djokovic failed to win a record 21st Grand Slam and become the first player since 1979 to win all four Grand Slams in the same season.
"I still see him as a legend of tennis. He's won three Grand Slams, and he's still trying to get more. He's a legend of tennis. He lost against Daniil who played extremely well. He hasn't lost a lot of matches. He's No. 2 worldwide.
So as far as I'm concerned, it doesn't change anything," Monfils said. "Both players have great level. Novak is still Novak. He's still a fantastic player. He's won three Grand Slams. He's still the same. He only lost to the second player, the second-ranked player."
Djokovic tried to drew positives from the defeat
Djokovic admitted the US Open final defeat was a tough pillow to swallow but he tried to draw positives from and return stringer from it.
"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 set to return to action at this week's Paris Masters. Djokovic signed up to play singles in Paris and also doubles with fellow compatriot Filip Krajinovic.