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Novak Djokovic, Tennis News

Novak Djokovic blasted by Vienna tournament director for ‘unnecessary’ comments


Herwig Straka, the tournament director for the Vienna Open, has criticised Novak Djokovic for saying he was ‘completely fine’ with his shock defeat to Lorenzo Sonego.

Djokovic opted to play Vienna to get the two wins he needed to secure the year-end world number one spot, but as soon as that was done he slumped to a dismal 6-2, 6-1 defeat to Sonego.

It was his first ever loss to a lucky loser and the worst defeat statistically of his entire career, yet afterwards he was completely remorseless.

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

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

Straka, however, did not take kindly to the comments, even if he did stop short of accusing the world number one of tanking.

“I find such statements unnecessary,” Straka told Der Standard following Djokovic’s defeat.

“Even if you would think so, you don’t say that in any press conference.”


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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.