Filip Krajinovic: We failed and it was very difficult for me and Novak Djokovic

• Tennis News
• Novak Djokovic

Serbia's Filip Krajnovic admitted it was extremely difficult for him and Novak Djokovic after failing to lead Serbia to the final at the Davis Cup Finals. Krajnovic and Djokovic took on Nikola Mektic and Mate Pavic in the decisive rubber of the Serbia and Croatia semifinal tie.

Mektic and Pavic, who captured nine titles together in 2021, saw off Krajinovic and Djokovic 7-5 6-1 to propel Croatia into the final. "I had a quadriceps rupture. The injury happened in the match against Kepfer. I wasn’t 100 percent ready for the singles, but we decided to play in the doubles.

It is an honor and a privilege to play for Serbia, I would play injured, the country's jersey is sacred. Unfortunately, Nole and I failed. That defeat was very difficult for us," Krajinovic told Blic.

Krajinovic underlined Djokovic needs more help

"I am sad about the defeat, I hope we will also progress in singles to help Novak.

I have a feeling that in the last few singles matches it didn't go the way we wanted, we didn't play the best. I know that it is difficult for Novak to play both singles and doubles every time. That puts a lot of pressure on him, even though he handles it well.

I hope that we will help him in the next few years, to form a strong doubles team, so that the players in singles can be more relaxed and concentrated on their matches. We lack that," Krajinovic explained after the Davis Cup semifinal loss.

Meanwhile, Krajinovic has hired former Canadian tennis player Frank Dancevic ahead of the 2022 season. "i have a new coach, it's Dancevic," Krajinovic revealed. Also, Krajinovic revealed his goals for 2022 as he is hoping to stay healthy and play lots of tournaments.

"I want to play 25 tournaments and stay healthy. Of course my goal is to enter the top-20. The most important thing is to stay healthy," Krajinovic said.