Google News Novak Djokovic: 'We have to try to win another singles or at least...'
by SIMONE BRUGNOLI | VIEW 15558
The two important games won this year against Novak Djokovic, the first at the Tokyo Olympics and the second at the 2021 ATP Finals, only underscore Alexander Zverev’s continuous improvements. The German was able to play his best tennis in the important moments of the match and in Turin he defeated the Serbian for the fourth time in his career.
In the final, the number three of the ATP ranking will face Daniil Medvedev. The two have already met in the second Round Robin match of the Red Group and it was the Russian who prevailed at the third set tie-break. In 2018, when he conquered the Finals, Zverev beat Djokovic in the last act of the tournament after losing a few days earlier.
"Whenever Novak and I meet, we play games of the highest level. This year we faced each other five times and we always ended up in the deciding set. Today was a great match", the German explained at the press conference. "I think that in recent years he has become an important figure for all players.
Many tennis players like to talk to him. Nole always understands me. We talk a lot and not just about tennis. That's why I appreciate it. There is no one in the world who should be respected more than Novak. Considering everything he has achieved in his career, he is the best player of all time.
This is something that people tend to forget often. Medvedev? We are two relatively young players, it will be a good challenge. The other day I came close, this time I'll try to do better and take the title home."
Novak Djokovic on his 2021
Novak Djokovic didn't attribute his semifinal loss to fatigue.
He reiterated that he played a bad game in the deciding set and committed a few errors in a row that cost him the match. The world No. 1 said that mistakes such as those against a player like Zverev are difficult to recover from.
"I did not feel tired at all. I could have gone for another few hours, no problem. It was just a bad game, 2-1 down in the third set, a very bad game, four unforced errors. In the conditions like this where you have one of the biggest servers in the game, it's just difficult to come back from that.
That's all it is." Djokovic is happy with his current form and fancies his chances in the Davis Cup. He's very motivated to play for his country. But the tournament is a team event so he hopes that his teammates are ready to compete well too.
"I like the way I'm playing. I like my chances against anybody in the Davis Cup really. I look forward to that. Obviously Davis Cup is a team competition. It doesn't depend on me only. We have to try to win another singles or at least one singles, one doubles.
Yeah, it's a team effort. So hopefully the other guys are fit and ready. I'm very motivated to play for my country. Let's hope for the best."
