‘Second Service’ tennis news: Novak Djokovic dismisses injury fears ahead of ATP Finals, as Rune reveals ‘bigger dreams’ following Paris triumph
Looking back on the big tennis news in our exclusive ‘Second Service’… Novak Djokovic dismissed injury fears ahead of ATP Finals, as Holger Rune revealed ‘bigger dreams’ following Paris Masters triumph, and more.
To start this tennis news roundup, Novak Djokovic has dismissed any suggestion he is physically struggling ahead of the ATP Finals in Turin.
Djokovic lost out in the final of the Paris Masters to 19-year-old Holger Rune on Sunday, leaving many to wonder if he was carrying an injury in the deciding set, which he uncharacteristically lost from a break up.
He, though, says that was not the case, and he wouldnāt want to take anything away from Rune by allowing the suggestion to stand.
āI donāt want to talk about that, because I know that you guys might take that as, you know, excuse or something like this why I lost,ā Djokovic said.
In other tennis news, Holger Rune admitted after his triumph over Djokovic that winning the Masters event was only a small dream coming true with him having much bigger ones.
āIt was very emotional after the match. Itās probably the best feeling of my life, of my whole career. Itās kind of a small dream come true, even though I have bigger dreams.
āItās a really good step on the way to be able to play these kind of matches against one of the greatest players like Novak. You know, to be able to win that last game was the biggest relief of my life.
Furthermore, Novak Djokovic assessed Alcaraz and Rune by explaining that Alcaraz has the better forehand and Holger Rune has the better backhand, but both are ācomplete players for 19 years oldā.
Djokovic was asked what he felt were the main differences between Alcaraz and Rune when he revealed,
āThey are similar in terms of physicality. I think they are both really fit. They train very hard. They are very dedicated guys. They defend, both of them, extremely well.
Rune has better backhand. Alcaraz has better forehand. But they are both improving on those shots that maybe are not as good as maybe other shot”
To finish off, Iga Swiatek admitted she was āwaitingā for her brilliant season to end after she lost to Aryna Sabalenka in the semi-finals if the WTA Finals.
Sabalenka battled to a fine 6-2, 2-6, 6-1 win over the world number one to bring the curtain down on the Poleās season.
āIām not gonna lie to you, Iāve been waiting for that moment,ā Swiatek said after the match. āBecause last week, basically it was pretty hard to see the finish line but still be fully motivated and ready for every match.
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