Novak Djokovic jokes about Holger Rune: “I’m grateful to him for letting me win!”

Novak Djokovic jokes about Holger Rune: “I am grateful to him for letting me win!”

Novak Djokovic won the best match of the first day of the Nitto ATP Finals 2023, somehow managing an extraordinary Holger Rune. They seemed to be peers in terms of the intensity and athleticism shown on the court, but instead Nole è 16 years older, and therein also lies the recipe for his success.

“I know that I have won a lot and that I am at a wonderful moment in my career, but I also know that if I want to keep up with these young people, I have to work as hard as them, if not harder’– explained the Serbian in the post-match interview -. I do not allow myself to think too much about history and my past achievements. For me, the’only formula for success è to look ahead and think about the next challenge” said Djokovic, who earlier forò had indulged in less serious and definitely more joking tones.

“Thank you all for staying late, I really appreciate the support I have in Italy, not only in Turin but also in Rome. In this beautiful country I always feel at home” began the world No. 1, who will end the year in this position for the eighth time in his career, an absolute record.

“I was very excited, I apologize to the children who saw me break two rackets, forò it happens. Sometimes there is too much emotion, pressure and tension, I’m not proud of it, but it happens” said Djokovic, commenting on the angry episode in which, early in the third set, he suffered a counter-break.

Space then also for an amusing comment on Rune: “From the first game he played with great courage and confidence, I felt it was going to be a long night and a long match. Holger and I have played five times so far and each game è lasted two and a half or three hours, è unbelievable. It feels like playing against a mirror, we have very similar games. I have a lot of respect for Rune, he will have è time and è very young. I am grateful that he let me win tonight!” concluded with a smile the Serbian.

John Pelazzo