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Novak Djokovic, Tennis News

‘Clinching year-end world number one affected me,’ admits Novak Djokovic after Vienna shocker


Novak Djokovic has admitted that motivation was a problem for him in his surprise defeat to Lorenzo Sonego in Vienna.

The Serbian put in arguably the most lacklustre performance of his career before sinking to a 6-2, 6-1 quarter-final defeat.

It was his first ever loss to a lucky loser, but he had already won the two matches he needed to clinch the year-end world number one spot, and he says that played a major part in his performance.

“Yes, clinching the [year-end] number one had an effect on me today,” Djokovic admitted.

“I’ve done what I came here for, securing the number one. And I move completely fine with today’s result.

“I’m healthy and looking forward to a strong finish in London.”

Djokovic will be crowned year-end world number one if Rafael Nadal does not take a wildcard for Sofia, although he has already confirmed he has no intention to do that.

Even if Nadal makes a late decision to play Sofia, it would still require a highly unlikely set of circumstances to stop Djokovic taking a record-equalling sixth year-end number one.


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Michael Graham, Tennishead.net Editor, has been a professional sports journalist for his whole career and is especially passionate about tennis. He's been the Editor of Tennishead.net for over 5 years and loves watching live tennis by visiting as many tournaments as possible. Michael specialises in writing in-depth features about the ATP & WTA tours.