Novak Djokovic struggled with his “form, rhythm and serve” in “almost all of his matches” at this year’s Australian Open, reckons Boris Becker, as the German watched his ex-charge exit in Melbourne to an inspired Jannik Sinner.
Djokovic’s shock defeat at a place he has reigned supreme was no mere outlier, Becker told Eurosport afterwards, seeming to the German to be a combination of Sinner’s excellence, but also Djokovic failing to reach top gear during his run to the last four.
Becker said: “I’m not surprised that Jannik Sinner won, but I am surprised by the way he did it.
“He actually had to win in the third set. The likeable South Tyrolean was already knocking on the door last year and is now growing up. He kept cool and served well right to the end. The fact that Novak Djokovic – the best return player of all time – didn’t have a single break point against Sinner is the story of the match.
“In terms of form, it wasn’t his [Djokovic’s] best Australian Open. He struggled with his form, his rhythm and his serve in almost all of his matches. And then today he came up against a stronger opponent.
“These are surprising pictures. I don’t usually see him this relaxed after defeats. Perhaps he has realised that he doesn’t have the form at the moment and that he didn’t lose due to bad luck, but that the other player was simply better today.
“That’s what makes a champion, recognising that today just wasn’t his day.”
Henin ‘surprised’ by Djokovic’s ‘lack of reaction’
Like Becker, fellow Eurosport expert Justin Henin was “surprised” by what she saw from Djokovic on Rod Laver Arena.
She said: “[Djokovic] had already been in a lot of trouble against Fritz on break points. He showed a few negative signs during this Australian Open.
“We all know his ability to bounce back all the time. In fact, he did so on several occasions during the tournament. Today, It was the lack of reaction that surprised us.
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“Sinner’s level was very, very good and we could have expected that. But the number of unforced errors, Novak Djokovic’s slowness, his inability to react… that was rather unpredictable.
“Djokovic was lucid enough to say so. But that doesn’t take anything away from the fact that you can admire your opponent and say: ‘This is one of my worst Grand Slam matches’. Because I think it’s true.”
Henman salutes ‘no panic’ from Sinner
“Even more satisfying is when he [Sinner] had match point in the third set and he did, by his own admission, get a little bit tight on the forehand. You think, wow, having lost to Djokovic with a two-set lead at Wimbledon, is history going to repeat itself? He’s a better player; he’s more mature.
“He’s beaten Djokovic, and he didn’t panic. He’s talked so much about the process and the way he’s been playing. He was hitting his spots and dictating from the back of the court. It didn’t go his way at the end of the third set, but no panic, and a phenomenal effort and achievement.
“I love the way he reacted after winning; there was no massive, wild celebration because he views this as part of the journey. He’s through to the final but he wants to win his first Slam.”
Sinner ‘crashed Djokovic’s party’ – Robson
“The atmosphere in Garden Square was slightly muted when Sinner won because there’s a lot of Djokovic fans. They had their flags, and were ready to celebrate and make it more of the same of what they saw last year, but Sinner crashed the party totally. He was outstanding from start to finish.
“I love that he didn’t get disappointed after having the match point in the third set. He just kept committed to the gameplan even more. It feels like we’ve felt this result coming; from the last few months and end of last year especially. But to do it in a best of five match at a Grand Slam with so many people who didn’t think that he could do it based on his performance at Wimbledon last year, just phenomenal.
Sinner makes huge statement with victory over Djokovic – Australian Open highlights
“Such a nice guy as well. So easy to chat to; he’s always got such a good energy around him and his team. I’m sure there are a lot of happy people in the locker who’ve been waiting for this to happen for him.
“He’s a muted guy, and to finish with a forehand winner would be exactly how he planned it in his head. I wouldn’t expect anything else from him; I wouldn’t expect to see him fall to the floor, and should he win on Sunday, I’m sure we’ll see more of the same. A cheeky hands up, one fist pump maybe, but it would be weird if we saw him fall to his knees and start crying. I’d be confused.”
Source: Euro Sports