Novak Djokovic rips those who called passive his Wimbledon final

The Serbian champion analyzed the final of the Championships, explaining how his attitude did not influence the result

The Wimbledon final was dominated by Carlos Alcaraz, who left only crumbs to Novak Djokovic. However, the Serbian champion was coming from surgery to the meniscus of his right knee performed less than a month before the final; an incredible result, considering how the doctor who operated on him had said that the Serbian’s participation in the Championships was impossible, two weeks before the start of the tournament.

However, considering the mettle shown in many important matches, the submissive attitude of the Serbian in the match against Alcaraz surprised most of the people who watched the Wimbledon final. At the press conference, in the part dedicated to the Serbian media, Djokovic was asked to talk about his attitude, as reported by SportKlub.

“That’s what people usually say when I lose, that I’m very passive. It’s impossible that this is the reason for the defeat. There are moments in some matches where you have to throw something. Others, however, where you look for the best balance, keep calm, conserve energy and use it constructively. We could ask ourselves what would have happened if I had started yelling at someone at the beginning of the second set and arguing with the crowd. I doubt that this would have helped me. I renew my compliments to Carlos, in sporting terms he managed to beat me. Now it’s time to work and move forward,” he explained.

Djokovic, despite the score and the domination of his opponent, never had a real reaction. One of those that he sometimes needs to shake himself up in matches in which he can’t express his best tennis. Only after saving three match points, when Alcaraz served for the tournament, Djokovic made himself heard. Even then, however, it seemed almost like a natural response to an atypical event. In the tie-break, in fact, the Spaniard returned to being the master of the lawn and closed 7-4.

The Serbian champion is aware that he will have to raise his level to give himself a chance.

“Being able to reach the final at Wimbledon is a great confidence boost, but I feel that I am not at the level needed to beat the best in the world. To have a chance to beat Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, who are the best this year by far, in the final stages of a Slam or at the Olympics I will have to play much better. I will work, we are not talking about something I have never faced before. In adversity, I usually learn lessons and become stronger,” he said at the press conference.

The Olympics represent a special competition for Djokovic and it will be essential to adapt quickly to clay.

“I hope to have the opportunity to fight for a medal for my country. It will be on a completely different surface, returning to the place where I got injured a few weeks ago. We will see how I feel physically and mentally. I hope I can find my best tennis, because I will need everything I have and more to reach the final of the Olympic Games. As for returning to Wimbledon, I would definitely like that. I don’t think this is my last Wimbledon for a moment. I really want to play again, I have no limits in my mind. I will play as long as I feel I can do it at this high level,” he added.

The Serbian champion admitted the clear superiority shown by the Spaniard on the court.

“I tried to cheer myself up and involve the crowd, but he didn’t even allow me to get free points on serve. He always read it well. By the way, I’ve never seen him serve like that. Maybe I missed something in this tournament. Overall, he outclassed me in every way. Carlos was really better in all aspects of his game: in his movements, in the way he hit the ball, in his service, in everything. I did everything I could to prepare for this match and this tournament. If someone had told me that I would play the Wimbledon final three or four weeks ago, I wouldn’t have believed it. Of course I’m disappointed, it’s a bitter taste to lose a final like this. In the end, my team and I have to consider it as a kind of success: we reached the final and lost to the best player of the tournament. Of course I’m very self-critical and I will always find faults. He was always one step ahead and it showed from the beginning to the end. My preparation was not ideal, because the injury put several obstacles in my way. As the days went by the situation improved, but today I was still one step behind Alcaraz,” he analyzed.