Erste Bank Open: Novak Djokovic on the background to the Sonego defeat - "Not really in the mood to play"
Novak Djokovicsuffered the clearest two-set defeat of his career against Lorenzo Sonego on Friday. With some distance, the world number one has now revealed what is said to have had such a negative impact on his performance.
by Michael Rothschädl
last edit: Oct 31, 2020, 02:00 pm
By Michael Rothschädl from the Wiener Stadthalle
2: 6 and 1: 6 - the result of a completely messed up tennis afternoon for Novak Djokovic. While many consider it a rare sign of humanity - the Serb can be defeated by an ordinary mortal - the world number one, with his first reaction to the surprising departure, cast quite justified doubts: "I have achieved what I came here for" , should Novak Djokovic. Yes, he could easily live with defeat.
As it became known on late Friday evening, it would have been an incident in the run-up to the game that would have had a negative impact on the Serbs: in the morning, the industry leader had already posted a photo of Amfilohije Radovic, an important person within the Serbian Orthodox Church, which died on Friday morning at the age of 83. "Yes, this is a very sad day, " Djokovic told Tennis Majors . "I had the privilege and the honor to have met him, to spend some time with him and to feel the beautiful energy he possessed."
Djokovic with a view to the ATP finals
When asked if the news had affected him, Djokovic said: "Yes, to be honest, I wasn't really in the mood to play." The sad news would have had an influence on him, but not so big that he couldn't have played. "I came to Vienna with a goal and I fulfilled it. Admittedly, it was a very strange day, but it is what it is. I will go ahead and start a new chapter," said the 33-year-old.
He would now spend a few days with his family and return to his native Serbia. "I'm looking forward to that," said Djokovic. But then it would also be the preparation for the last season highlight for the success-hungry Serb - the Nitto ATP Finals. Djokovic was known to have canceled the ATP Masters 1000 event that started on Monday in order to be able to travel to the season finale of the eight best players of the year in top form and rested. "I will do everything I can to prepare myself well. I have a chance for the title, the top eight will be there."