By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Monday, November 20, 2023
In his prime, Goran Ivanisevic owned one of many scariest serves within the sport.
Worry issue struck Ivanisevic final week: He was fearful his cost, Novak Djokovic, won’t qualify for the semifinals of the ATP Finals.
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Assembly the media after Djokovic dismantled house hero Jannik Sinner to seize his report seventh ATP Finals crown in Turin, Ivanisevic shared the second he knew the world No. 1 would defend his championship.
Djokovic, who misplaced a 3 hour, 9 minute epic to Jannik Sinner in round-robin play final Tuesday night time, wanted Sinner to beat Holger Rune on Thursday so as to qualify for his twelfth ATP Last semifinal. Had Rune prevailed, Djokovic would have been eradicated.
Coach Ivanisevic mentioned watching Sinner shut out a 6-2, 5-7, 6-4 win over Rune from his resort room was the second he knew Djokovic would win Turin once more.
“I heard the individuals, Okay, perhaps Jannik just isn’t going to strive 100%. He already within the semis,” Ivanisevic advised the media in Turin. “However Jannik, with that match, not as a result of he helped Novak, would not matter, he confirmed what sort of champion he will likely be. He is aggressive and he wished to win. He wished to win. You need to win each match whenever you play in entrance of your property crowd.
“Truly I used to be very glad. I used to be form of scared on that break level within the third set. Wow. However then final two video games, Jannik performed unbelievable. It was actually a aid. From that second I knew that Novak goes to win the match.”
Emotional depth helped gasoline Djokovic to his ATP-best seventh title of the season and 98th profession championship.
Ivanisevic, who was a extremely emotional participant himself, mentioned he would not get offended with Djokovic for 2 easy causes: 1. He is the GOAT and a couple of. He provides most effort on courtroom.
“Who am I to get offended at him? He is the very best participant within the historical past of tennis,” Ivanisevic mentioned. “I might be solely offended with him typically when he is yelling for no motive at us. When he loses the match, he is at all times giving his finest and he is attempting.
“Nevertheless it’s not simple to take care of him when he is dropping the match. On Tuesday night time, he completed late. On Wednesday we did not see him in any respect. Until Thursday we did not know what’s occurring, to be sincere. We had been within the room. We did not know if we’re going house, if we’re going to the warm-up towards Hurkacz. We had been sitting, sitting. We lastly discover out that he’ll play.
“Like each human being, he has some combating with himself. I feel he made good choice to remain calm. I do know just isn’t simple. I do know just isn’t simple to encourage himself. He gained all the pieces. He completed No. 1. However he at all times discover motivation.”
Picture credit score: Matthew Stockman/Getty
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