Djokovic returned from injury this week at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, where he is a five-time winner, but his save was cut short in the semifinals after a 6-4, 6-4 loss to the Russian. Djokovic had torn a hamstring in his Australian Open title run but still arrived in Dubai with a sparkling 15-0 record for 2023. Therefore, it came as a surprise when he only managed a single break point against Medvedev. But the world number one made no excuses. “I lost to a better opponent,” said the Serb at the post-match press conference. “I know I didn’t play well in some crucial moments, but that was also due to his tennis quality. It’s unfortunate that I made some really bad mistakes in the first set to give him the second break. But that’s tennis .You learn from your mistakes and from the losses and hopefully next time I’ll be better.” Medvedev improved his head-to-head record to 5-9 against Djokovic, ending a four-game losing streak. Before Friday, he most recently defeated Djokovic for his first Grand Slam title at the US Open in 2021. Djokovic praised Medvedev, who will face fellow countryman Andrey Rublev in the final on Saturday.
“He elicits and provokes unforced error from everyone because that’s his game, that’s what he does,” he continued. “He does it extremely well. He’s very patient. He’s very athletic. He moves well for his size. The backhand is one of the most consistent shots you have in the game today.” The Indian Wells Masters and the Miami Open are scheduled for Djokovic, both tournaments in which he has been very successful in recent years. However, with the US still requiring proof of Covid-19 vaccination for non-US citizens, Djokovic has requested an exemption. “I’m still waiting for the news from America,” revealed the 22-time Grand Slam winner. “If there is no America, I guess I’ll play on clay. Monte Carlo is probably the next tournament. If that’s the case, I’ll take a break, prepare myself. Clay is the most demanding surface. It needs more.” time than any other surface to prepare for.”
The article Novak Djokovic modest in desert defeat: I lost to a better opponent appeared first on Planetsport.com.
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