Novak Djokovic doesn’t hide his disappointment: ‘It really hurts’

Novak Djokovic’s words after the defeat

Novak Djokovic had to cede the Wimbledon throne after a full five years to Carlos Alcaraz, who beat him at the end of an incredible final, which ended in the fifth set after more than four and a half hours of play.

At a press conference, the Serbian tennis player analyzed the defeat: “In the past I have been one step away from losing finals, but I have won epic matches. I think it’s an unspoken divine agreement, it can happen even though it really hurts to lose a final. All credit to Alcaraz, he was amazing in the important moments and playing like that at his age, an impressive ability to handle nerves. In the last game I responded great but he came up with something extraordinary, incredible cues. He had a great tournament, I congratulate him and his team.”

On the time violations, Nole cut it short: “I don’t have much to say, they were due to frustration, I had break points in the second game, but he played well and he played great in the next game and that one served for the win.”

“Regrets in the course of the match? I would say in the tiebreak of the second set where my backhand let down, especially on set point,” the seven-time Wimbledon winner later admitted. “I shouldn’t have missed that shot, then also on the 6-6 tiebreak I missed a backhand by sending it into the net. The match turned around, he raised his level and I could not react. Overall he deserved to win.”

“The beginning of a great rivalry? I hope so for my sake, I don’t know how long I’ll be around yet, we faced each other in two close Slams and I hope we’ll face each other on concrete as well. A five-set, five-hour challenge between the number one and number two in the world is only good for the sport,” Djokovic quipped.