Novak Djokovic is one of the best speakers in our sport, and has routinely reacted to crushing losses with incredible grace.
Today was no different.
He embraced Jannik Sinner at the net straight after their Wimbledon semi-final, and has had nothing but positive things to say about the world number one in the aftermath despite how tough this defeat must be to take.
That being said, Novak Djokovic did exhibit some justified frustration when speaking to one reporter at his post-match press conference.
Novak Djokovic disagrees with question asked in Wimbledon semi-final press conference
The question which sparked such a spiky response began: “Novak, this year you seem to be more competitive in a way than last year.”
Djokovic interjected by simply stating: “Wrong.”
The reporter continued with their question: “Today maybe you were tired. What are your feelings about it? Do you feel that really you can go on and on or not?”
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This provoked an unsurprisingly inflammatory response from the 39-year-old, who claimed: “I just said you’re wrong. I don’t agree with your opinion. I’m always competitive. Always give my best. Under the circumstances, sometimes it looks from outside more, sometimes less. Only I know what I go through internally and what it takes to be able to still play at this level.
“Of course, I’m disappointed. Of course, I wanted to win Wimbledon. That’s the reason why I’m still pushing myself so hard.
“But I just lost to a better player. I have to accept it. Obviously tough one. Once you get out of the court, it’s a tough one to kind of accept. But it is what it is.
“I’m not upset with myself. I don’t think I’ve done too much wrong. I was just a level or two worse than he is. I mean, he was playing so solid from all ends. I mean, very difficult to read his serve; incredible weapon it has become over the last couple years since he changed his technique. Of course, he’s as solid as anyone really from the back of the court. That’s it.”
Sinner was supremely complimentary of Djokovic in his on-court interview, praising the Serbian.
Novak Djokovic says if results like these are good enough for him
Djokovic, despite his age and seniority over the vast majority of his biggest rivals, remains supremely competitive on tour.
However, for all his herculean efforts, he just cannot seem to get this 25th major title over the line.
If it’s not Sinner then it’s Carlos Alcaraz, and if it’s not him then it’s his own physicality.
Asked if he can walk away from tournaments with results like today’s with his head held high, Djokovic provided an insightful and deeply personal insight into what he still wants to get out of this sport.
He began with context: “Last year I reached four semifinals. This year, out of three slams, I reached one final and one semifinal. I guess for 99% of the players, that would be a very good Grand Slam result.”
However, Djokovic is not 99% of the players. He added: “For me, it’s good but not good enough, because I’m blessed and cursed to be used to something of a highest degree in terms of results and achievements.
“In some way, I’m also dealing with myself in a sense that I’m telling myself, Look, this is amazing that you’re still able to, as people around me are telling me, able to play at such a high level and push the youngsters to the limit for Grand Slam titles, which is true. But at the same time, I always have the highest expectations for myself.
“So yeah, it’s kind of that internal battle really of what I’ve been through for the 20-plus years of my career, what the goals were always, the expectations, and trying to balance it out and really be a little more humble in that sense.”
Does Novak Djokovic still believe his body can compete at the highest level?
Fortunately, just after Djokovic said he wants to return to Wimbledon next year, he insisted his body felt good enough to compete at the highest level.
He concluded by stating: “I’m glad that this tournament, the body held pretty well. Pretty much every other tournament in the last two years it was always something.
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“That’s the main thing. I feel when I’m healthy, I’m still able to play as a top-five player, still able to compete at the highest level. I like it. I like this life. I mean, tennis has given me everything in my life and has allowed me an opportunity to become who I am.
“At the same time, you know, of course there’s always a question of how far you want to go, what you want to play, how you want to play, et cetera, et cetera.
“I go through that process, but I try to take it, in a sense, a day at a time, see how I really feel. I don’t have any pressure or no one is forcing me to play. I do it because I really want to and because I still can. I still can play as a top-10, top-5 player.”
