Novak Djokovic is an icon in the tennis world, one who loves dominating opponents and adding victories under his belt. Not known to be one who is kind to opponents on the tennis court during competitive matches, the Serb is however undoubtedly one of the most gracious and positive personalities off it.
Currently competing for a record-extending title at the Paris Masters, Novak Djokovic’s recent appraisal of an opponent’s game has brought a similar incident from 2012 under the spotlight. Back then, the high-flying Serb was ousted early in the tournament and refused to blame personal problems for his loss and instead chose to appreciate his opponent.
Novak Djokovic declines to link hospitalization to defeat
Novak Djokovic won the Australian Open and reached the French Open final, Wimbledon semifinal and US Open final in a successful 2012 season. Already world no. 1 as he entered Paris for the year-ending Paris Masters 1000 event, Djokovic was primed as a title contender.
The Serb would progress to the second round with ease, where he was ousted by the USA’s Sam Querrey. The loss was particularly shocking to fans, as the Serb had won the first set with a bagel. However, Sam would make a comeback and win the match 0-6, 7-6(4), 6-4.
The loss remained an outlier in Djokovic’s stellar season, and the reasons for its occurrence were debated by many commentators. At the same time, Serbian media reported that Srdjan Djokovic, Novak’s father, had been hospitalized for a respiratory illness.
Novak Djokovic refused to attribute his loss to his personal problems, lack of focus or injury and instead chose to stay mum on his father’s treatment.
“I’d rather not talk about it. Sorry about that, but it’s just private, and I’d like to keep it that way. Some things happened and a lot of things are on my mind… so, right now I just need a couple of days’ rest before London,” he said back then.
“Sam played very well, served very well. I usually don’t like excuses, so I just keep it that way,” he added.
Djokovic sets unique record with 17 appearances at Paris Masters
The shock exit at the 2012 Paris Masters was but a minor blip in Novak’s career, and he would bounce back in the following years to seal the title in France five more times, including three consecutive titles from 2013 to 2015.
Now, in 2023, the 24-time grand slam champion has progressed to Sunday’s final against unseeded Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov. With his appearance on Sunday, Novak passed five tennis players who held the joint record for most appearances at the Paris Masters with 16 matches played.
Now, making his 17th appearance at the AccorHotels Arena in Paris, Novak remains undisputedly one of the tournament’s icons and flagship holders.
He will contest for his 97th ATP singles title on Sunday and will look to carry on his fine form from the US Open and Davis Cup Finals to the tennis courts in Paris. He is the favorite to defeat Dimitrov, and despite the Bulgarian mounting a superlative comeback in his semifinal match, his opponent in the final is one who has mastered the talent of making comebacks.
What are your opinions on Novak Djokovic’s record-extending season and career? How professional and gracious is the Serb, as displayed since 2012? Let us know in the comments section below.
