Australian Open
Melbourne-Aus: Djokovic doesn’t want to know anything about the changing of the guard
Had to admit defeat in the semi-finals of the Australian Open: Novak Djokovic. photo
© Andy Wong/AP
Novak Djokovic has dominated the Australian Open for years. But this time he is missing when the winner is determined. A sign?
It’s an unusual feeling for Novak Djokovic. The Serb usually spends the last Sunday of the Australian Open always in Melbourne. The world number one has already won the first Grand Slam tournament of the tennis season ten times.
But when the champion is crowned in the Rod Laver Arena today, Djokovic will already be home. Instead, the Italian Jannik Sinner, who defeated Djokovic in the semifinals, and Alexander Zverev’s conqueror Daniil Medvedev from Russia are fighting for the first major title of the year.
“It’s not the feeling I’m used to. It felt incredibly satisfying to start most seasons with a Grand Slam win,” said Djokovic after his first defeat at Yarra River after 33 wins in a row.
The 24-time Grand Slam tournament winner doesn’t want to know anything about a changing of the guard. “The tournament didn’t meet my standard, my criteria and my level, but that doesn’t automatically mean it’s the beginning of the end,” said the 36-year-old. “Let’s wait and see what happens in the rest of the season. I still have high goals when it comes to the Olympics and the next Grand Slams.” The next Grand Slam tournament begins on May 26th in Paris.