Novak Djokovic has said that he still maintains belief and confidence that he can win another Grand Slam despite losing in four sets to Carlos Alcaraz.
The Serb was attempting to win a 25th Grand Slam title and got off to a perfect start in the opening set.
However, it all went south quickly with Alcaraz winning in four sets and securing the career Grand Slam.
After the match Djokovic detailed the contest which saw him play a flawless opening set before his level dropped in the last two sets, “I mean, for the first set was one of the best sets I’ve played the last couple years,” Djokovic said in his press conference.
“Then, you know, I kind of regained my energy back and momentum in mid-fourth. Asked the crowd to get involved. They did. Yeah, just a bad miss at 4-All and break point, and that forehand, I had a good look at that forehand. Yeah, my forehand broke down in important moments.
“Yeah, that’s what happens. I mean, one or two shots can change the momentum of the match and switch things around, which happened. Yeah, I’m just very disappointed I wasn’t able to maintain that kind of feeling that I had in the first set. You know, a lot of what-if scenarios in my head, and yeah, I guess it is what it is.
“You have to just accept it as it is.”
It’s a tough loss for Djokovic who was the closest he’s ever been to a 25th Grand Slam loss but ultimately fell short.
The ten-time Australian Open champion admitted the loss feels ‘bitter’ right now but still believes he can compete at the highest level, “I have belief, and I have always, you know, confidence and vision to win a slam, another slam anywhere, to win anywhere where I play, but I did not expect it,” Djokovic explained.
“That’s different. Expectations, I lowered my expectations last couple of years, which also, I think, allows me to be able to, you know, let go of some of that unnecessary additional stress. You know, it’s always tension and stress and pressure, and I just don’t want to be overwhelmed by it. It also feels good a little bit not being always the main favorite to win slams. I think that kind of gives you a little bit of that extra motivation, I guess, when it comes down to the last rounds of the slam.
“I mean, look, I managed to beat Jannik, who is double defending champion here and won the last whatever, four, five matches against me, in five sets, very proud of that. Incredible match, incredible achievement. But, you know, you’re speaking to me ten minutes after I lost the final, so of course I’m going to be a little bit bitter about losing. But, again, I lost to a No. 1 in the world and already a legendary player.
“That’s sport, but of course, when you draw a line and you make, you know, assessment of what happened last couple of weeks, it’s incredible achievement for me to be able to play finals, be couple of sets away maybe to win a championship. Of course, after a loss, it’s a bitter feeling, but nevertheless, I have to be, yeah, content with this result.”
In his on-court interview Djokovic seemed to be pessimistic about his chances of returning to the Australian Open next year.
However in his press conference Djokovic believed that there will be another chance to win a 25th Grand Slam, “I knew that I’d probably have to beat two of them on the way to the title. I beat one, which is great, so it’s a step more further than I have gone in Grand Slams than last year,” Djokovic added.
“Very nice, encouraging. But, you know, not enough for me. Yeah, let’s see. I’m going to keep pushing and see if I get another chance.”
