Djokovic - "Thiem, Zverev, Tsitsipas are getting closer"
The world ranking second Novak Djokovic hopes that the big change of guard will not begin in the coming year.
by tennisnet.com
last edit: Dec 20, 2019, 01:28 pm
Novak Djokovic returns from his vacation on the tennis stage today, if "only" as part of an exhibition fight tournament in Abu Dhabi. At the end of a season that was once again quite successful, the second in the world rankings had to accept two minor neck hits - initially at the ATP Finals in London, where Djokovic missed the semifinals. And then in the Davis Cup alongside Viktor Troicki, when the two Serbs missed a good chance of entering the semi-final in the decisive doubles.
Based on the experience of the past few years, Novak Djokovic starts again as a big favorite at the Australian Open . In 2019, the now 32-year-old won his seventh title in Melbourne, leaving no chance in the Rafael Nadal final. The Spaniard, like Djokovic, won two Grand Slam titles in the past season, the long-announced change of guard did not take place, at least among the majors.
Djokovic loses twice to Thiem
"It is inevitable that it will happen," said Djokovic a few days ago. “They come closer and closer each year. Dominic Thiem has reached two finals in Roland Garros. Stefanos Tsitsipas won the ATP Finals. Alexander Zverev the year before. They all definitely challenge the best players in the world and want to be the best themselves. "
Djokovic lost two important matches against Thiem in 2019: in the semi-finals of the French Open and in the group phase of the ATP finals in London. Djokovic won in the semifinals of Madrid against Thiem. There has only been one meeting with Zverev in the past twelve months, the veteran prevailed in Roland Garros in three sentences. Djokovic played three times against Tsitsipas in 2019, winning in the quarter-finals of Paris-Bercy and in the final of Madrid, but lost to the Greek in Shanghai.
"These are already established top five, top ten players. And it is our job to ensure that the changing of the guard does not happen too early. But it is getting closer. "