Tag: Novak Djokovic

Novak Djokovic eased into a record-breaking 19th Roland Garros quarter-final with a comfortable straight-sets victory over Cameron Norrie on Monday.

The three-time French Open champion will renew his rivalry with third seed Alexander Zverev in the last eight on Wednesday after seeing off Norrie 6-2, 6-3, 6-2 on Court Philippe Chatrier.

His tally of 19 quarter-final appearances at Roland Garros is the record for a single Grand Slam tournament.

“I feel good. I know I can play better. But 12 sets played, 12 sets won, it’s been solid so far,” said the 38-year-old after his 100th French Open win.

“It’s great, but victory number 101 would be better. I’m very honoured… But I need to continue now.”

Djokovic holds an 8-5 winning record in his head-to-head with German Zverev, but retired injured from their last meeting in the Australian Open semi-finals in January.

“He’s 10 years younger. He calls himself a veteran of the game. What should I call myself, then?,” Djokovic said of his next opponent.

Britain’s Norrie, a former top-10 player now ranked 81st, has lost all six of his career matches against Novak Djokovic.

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The sixth-seeded Djokovic showed no ill-effects from a “complicated” trip back to his hotel on Sunday night after attending Paris Saint-Germain’s Champions League title celebrations at the Parc des Princes.

PSG forward Ousmane Dembele presented the trophy to the crowd on Court Philippe Chatrier ahead of Djokovic’s match.

“They (security) were suggesting us at one point not to go back at all, to maybe find a place to sleep somewhere around here for a night, because at that point it was already past midnight and some gas bombs and cars under fire and stuff happening on the street that was really dangerous,” Djokovic said.

“In the end we talked. We waited for a bit, and then we decided to go. Then it was fine. In the end we reached the hotel all good, but it was quite noisy with a lot of things happening outside of the hotel…

“At some point it was getting out of hand, but it’s understandable that people are so excited.”

The Serb, hoping to set a new outright record of 25 Grand Slam titles this week, dominated against Norrie from the start.

He broke serve three times in a one-sided opening set, before battling through a closer second, crucially saving a break point before holding for a 3-2 lead.

Norrie, playing in the second week in Paris for the first time, mustered little resistance in the third set as Djokovic wrapped up victory on his first match point.

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Novak Djokovic extended his perfect record against French players at Roland Garros with a 6-3, 6-2, 7-6 (7/1) win over Corentin Moutet to reach the third round on Thursday.

It was largely plain sailing for the 38-year-old Djokovic, although he did have to save a set point to force a tie-break in the third set.

That came after the 24-time Grand Slam champion took a medical timeout earlier in the set to receive treatment for a blister on his left foot.

“Things got a little bit complicated with the blister. That was bothering me for a bit,” said Novak Djokovic. “But I don’t think it’s going to be an issue for me to recover.”

Just when Corentin Moutet threatened to prolong the match, Djokovic clicked back into gear — a day after a nighttime cycle around the Arc de Triomphe — to improve to 12-0 against Frenchmen at Roland Garros.

“Obviously, the atmosphere was electric, especially in that third set. He was close to winning it, so the crowd got involved. And it was, yeah, not much fun for me,” said Djokovic.

He is through to the last 32 in Paris for the 20th time, more than even 14-time champion Rafael Nadal managed.

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But Djokovic said he would not repeat his jaunt around the notoriously busy Place Charles de Gaulle, where 12 avenues converge.

“At one point, we had cars all over the place. It was quite an adrenaline experience, but I don’t think I will repeat that,” he said.

“Probably in all other streets, it’s much more safe. But, yeah, we were crazy enough to get into that roundabout. It was fun, but at one point, but also a bit dangerous.”

Novak Djokovic will play 23-year-old Austrian qualifier Filip Misolic for a spot in the last 16. Misolic withstood a comeback from Canadian 27th seed Denis Shapovalov to prevail 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 (8/6), 4-6, 4-6, 6-3.

The three-time French Open champion issued a playful appeal to tournament organisers not to schedule his next match on Saturday night, to avoid a clash with the Champions League final.

Paris Saint-Germain will be bidding for its first European crown against Inter Milan. Kick-off in Munich is roughly 30 minutes after the evening session begins at Roland Garros.

“It’s going to be PSG that I will support. I will definitely watch it if I’m not playing a night session,” said Novak Djokovic. “Yeah, that will be nice. FYI, Roland Garros schedule…”

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Novak Djokovic said Tuesday he is in no hurry to find a coach to replace Andy Murray as he searches for his first win on clay this season ahead of the French Open.

Last week, Djokovic parted company with Murray after a tough start to the season for the 24-time Grand Slam champion.

“At the moment, I’m not in need of a coach,” said Djokovic, who opens his title bid at the Roland Garros warm-up event in Genova against 134th-ranked Hungarian Marton Fucsovics on Wednesday.

“I don’t need to rush in any context. I feel comfortable with the people around me … in the next few tournaments, and we’ll see what happens.”

Djokovic told journalists that Dusan Vemic, previously part of his coaching team, had arrived in Geneva from the US and would be working alongside Boris Bosnjakovic, his assistant coach and analyst.

The partnership with Murray started well, with Djokovic defeating Carlos Alcaraz at the Australian Open, only to be forced to retire during his semi-final against Alexander Zverev as a result of injury.

“We felt like we couldn’t get more out of that partnership on the court, and that’s all there is to it,” explained Novak Djokovic, who turns 38 on Thursday.

“My respect towards Andy remains the same, even more actually, I got to know him as a person.

“I think he has a brilliant tennis IQ, he has a very rare mind of a champion that obviously has achieved what he has achieved, and he sees the game incredibly well.”

The Serb’s wait for a 100th ATP title goes on after his withdrawal from the Italian Open.

Djokovic has not won a single match on clay this season, losing his openers at Monte Carlo and Madrid.

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His hopes of a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam triumph, which would take him clear of Australian Margaret Court’s tally of 24 singles major titles, appear to be fading.

“It’s a different chapter of my life that I’m trying to navigate myself through,” said the three-time French Open champion.

“And yes, I’m not particularly used to having this kind of circumstances where I would lose a consecutive match, tournaments, first rounds and so forth. I don’t think it ever happened for me in the last 20 years.

“But I knew that eventually that moment will come.”

After missing the event in Rome, Novak Djokovic explained that he is competing in Geneva to prepare for the upcoming French Open.

“That’s why I’m here, that’s why I’m playing the Geneva tournament, because I’m trying to do well, I’m trying to win more trophies, I’m trying to build my form for Roland Garros, and perform at the desired, necessary level in order to go far in the tournament and challenge the best players in the world.

“So yes, the motivation is still there.”

Nonetheless, Djokovic added he was comfortable with this new phase of his career.

“I know what it takes to be a Grand Slam champion. It’s not as smooth and easy for me as it was 10 years ago. Obviously, things change and my life has changed a lot, but for (the) better, to be honest,” he said.

“It’s just a new chapter that I’m embracing. I’m still connected to tennis and still want to express myself on the court. I feel that I still have the game, that I can be one of the contenders for the top Grand Slam titles.”

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24-time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic, in a heartwarming gesture, paid tribute to Indian cricket legend Virat Kohli following his retirement from Test cricket.

Kohli’s decision to retire from Test cricket came as a surprise to fans around the world.

The 36-year-old had already stepped away from T20Is after leading India to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 title in the USA and the West Indies.

And now, with the red-ball chapter of his career also coming to a close, it truly marks the end of an era.

In an emotional farewell note posted on Instagram, Virat Kohli looked back on his 14-year-long Test journey with a sense of gratitude and fulfilment.

“It’s been 14 years since I first wore the baggy blue in Test cricket. Honestly, I never imagined the journey this format would take me on. It’s tested me, shaped me, and taught me lessons I’ll carry for life.”

“There’s something deeply personal about playing in whites… the quiet grind, the long days, the small moments that no one sees but that stay with you forever,” Kohli added.

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He admitted the decision to walk away wasn’t easy, but it felt like the right time.

“I’ve given it everything I had, and it’s given me back so much more than I could’ve hoped for. I’m walking away with a heart full of gratitude… I’ll always look back at my Test career with a smile.”

Virat Kohli bows out with 123 Test matches under his belt, 9,230 runs, 30 centuries, and 40 Test wins as captain — the most by any Indian skipper in the format.

Novak Djokovic, widely regarded as one of the greatest tennis players in history, took to social media on Monday to congratulate Kohli on what he described as an “incredible innings,” sharing a photo of the Indian batting maestro along with the message: “Incredible innings, Virat Kohli.”

The Serbian tennis star’s gesture reflects the immense respect Kohli commands not just within the cricketing fraternity but across the global sporting landscape.

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Novak Djokovic bid for a 100th career title was spoiled by Italian Matteo Arnaldi, who beat the Serb 6-3, 6-4 in the Madrid Open second round on Saturday.

The fourth-seeded Novak Djokovic suffered a second consecutive opening defeat, he also exited in his opener against Alejandro Tabilo in Monte Carlo two weeks ago.

Arnaldi, ranked 44th in the world, recorded just the second top-five win of his career and scribbled ‘OMG’ on the camera lens after his landmark victory.

“At the start I was just trying to not s*** in my pants, to be honest,” said the 24-year-old Arnaldi.

The athletic Arnaldi squandered a 2-0 lead early in the contest but pounced again in the eighth game, breaking the Novak Djokovic serve. The Italian wrapped up the opening set in 48 minutes.

Novak Djokovic, a three-time champion in Madrid, fired 20 unforced errors in the first frame and finished the contest with a total of 32.

“He’s my idol, he’s always been. I was just glad that I could play him because I never played him, I just practised once with him. So playing him on a stage like this was already a victory for me,” said Arnaldi, who showcased an entertaining brand of all-court tennis.

“But, you know, he is not at his best right now, so I came on court to try to play my best tennis and win. It happened. So right now, I don’t even know what to say.”

Elsewhere, Lorenzo Musetti, playing his first match since reaching the biggest final of his career in Monte Carlo, moved past Argentina’s Tomas Etcheverry 7-6 (7/3), 6-2 to book a third-round meeting with Stefanos Tsitsipas.

The talented Italian is on the cusp of making his top-10 debut, having entered the tournament at a career-high number 11.

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Musetti admitted he is doing his best not to check the ATP live rankings website until he officially joins the top-10 club.

“This week, I don’t want to look,” said the 23-year-old, who moved up to number nine in the live rankings on Saturday.

Reigning Australian Open champion Madison Keys was broken while serving for her third-round victory at 5-4 in the second set against Anna Kalinskaya, but recovered to complete a 7-5, 7-6 (7/3) in one hour and 48 minutes.

The fifth-seeded Keys lost to Kalinskaya earlier this month in Charleston.

“I knew I had to raise my level after getting a bit of spanking last time,” said Keys.

A semi-finalist in Madrid 12 months ago, Keys awaits her compatriot Emma Navarro or Croatia’s Donna Vekic in the round of 16.

American fourth seed Coco Gauff eased past compatriot Ann Li 6-2, 6-3 to set up a last-16 clash with Swiss Olympic gold medallist Belinda Bencic.

Seventh-seeded teenager Mirra Andreeva continued her impressive form at WTA 1000 tournaments this season by storming into the fourth round with a 7-5, 6-3 performance against Polish 27th-seed Magdalena Frech.

The 17-year-old Russian, who won back-to-back titles in Dubai and Indian Wells, will take on Ukrainian qualifier Yulia Starodubtseva for a shot at reaching a second consecutive Madrid quarter-final.

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Czech teenager Jakub Mensik upset Novak Djokovic 7-6 (7/4), 7-6 (7/4) to win the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, denying the Serb his 100th career title.

The 19-year-old, ranked 54th in the world, claimed his first title on the ATP Tour with an outstanding display of powerful tennis.

The final was delayed by almost six hours due to heavy rain and when the players emerged it was clear that Novak Djokovic had an eye infection. He used eye-drops during a changeover in the first set.

Mensik started strongly breaking Djokovic’s first serve game to go 2-0 up and the tall, big-serving Czech was dominating until, at 4-2 Djokovic broke back when Mensik found the net.

The set remained on serve from then on, but in the tie-break Mensik’s powerful serve, with two aces, put him in charge from the outset. He opened up a 5-0 lead and although 24-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic fought back the youngster sealed the set with an overhead volley.

It was the first set that Djokovic had lost in the entire tournament. Twice he lost his footing and ended up on his back, and he changed his footwear between sets.

Mensik had beaten Djokovic by the exact same margin in the first set of their only other meeting in Shanghai before losing in three sets.

This time, however, the momentum appeared to be with him.

The second set was a nip and tuck affair, though, with neither player able to break. Once again Mensik’s power proved decisive in the tie-break and when Djokovic went long on a return to hand him victory he fell to his back in celebration.

“To be honest I don’t know what to say. It feels incredible, obviously,” Mensik said in his on-court interview.

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“It was probably the biggest day of my life and I did super, which I’m really glad (about), to show the performance and keep the nerves outside of the court before the match.

“I feel just super happy and I think that the feelings will come later,” he said.

Mensik has made no secret of the fact that he grew up with Novak Djokovic his idol and after receiving the trophy he said that he started his career in the hope of emulating the Serb.

“There is no harder task for a tennis player than to beat you in the final of a tournament,” he said.

“I am pretty sure that this was just the first of many,” Mensik added, before revealing that he had been close to pulling out of the tournament before his first match due to a knee injury before last minute physiotherapy produced the desired results.

Djokovic, who after the match declined to discuss the problem with his eye, paid tribute to the Czech’s display.

“This is Jakub’s moment, a moment of his team, a moment of his family. Congratulations, unbelievable tournament. It hurts me to admit it, but you were better. In a clutch moment, you delivered the goods,” he said.

“Unbelievable serving and just a phenomenal effort mentally as well to stay tough in a difficult moment. For a young player like yourself, this is a great feature. Something that I’m sure you will use many times in the years to follow,” Djokovic added.

The match between the 37-year-old Djokovic and Mensik was the biggest age gap difference in a Masters 1000 final and the biggest age gap of any tour-level final since 1976.

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Novak Djokovic cruised into the quarter-finals of the Miami Open on Tuesday with a 6-2, 6-2 win over Italian Lorenzo Musetti in one hour 22 minutes.

Musetti, the 15th seed from Tuscany, got off to a flying start to take a 2-0 lead in the first set but then proceeded to lose the next nine games as the Serb, looking confident and sharp, ran away with the game.

Djokovic has won the Miami Open on six occasions but has not featured in the quarters since his last victory here in 2016.

The 37-year-old is now just three wins away from winning his 100th tour-level title.

“He had a really good start of the match. First couple games I started a little bit slow and then I knew that if I give him time, he’s going to make his shots,” Djokovic said.

“He loves kind of running around his backhand, hitting forehands. But he is so talented, he can play any shot in the game on any surface.

“It was tough, particularly in the first seven, eight games of the match. But I think breaking his serve to come back to two-all and break right away at 3-2, it was a momentum shift and I tried to use that,” he added.

Novak Djokovic will face American Sebastian Korda on Wednesday for a place in the semi-finals after the 24th seed beat French veteran Gael Monfils 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 in a rain-affected match.

Korda visibly struggled with his wrist, however, and said after the match that he had been in discomfort with an injury that has caused him trouble in the past.

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“It’s pretty painful right now, we’ll see how it goes tomorrow. Will do a lot of work with my physio now, we’ll see how it is tomorrow.

“I haven’t played a lot of tournaments this year. Hopefully I can play some good tennis and see where it takes me,” he said.

Korda later pulled out of his doubles match with partner Jordan Thompson.

Argentine Francisco Cerundolo upset fifth-seed Casper Ruud 6-4, 6-2 to take his place in the last eight.

Cerundolo, who enjoys plenty of support from South Florida’s large Argentine community, has now reached the last eight in three of his past four appearances at Miami.

Cerundolo failed to make the most of three break points in the opening game but eventually broke through at 3-3, converting his fourth break point of that game.

The 23rd seed, who lost to Carlos Alcaraz in the quarter-finals at Indian Wells, was dominant in the second set, but his victory was postponed by a three-hour, 30-minute rain delay that arrived when he was 5-1 up.

“I’m super happy. It’s always difficult when you’re playing a really good match, controlling the game, and you have to stop for rain,” said Cerundolo.

“It’s not easy, but I was chill and came back to the match confident and played a really good service game. I’m super happy to get back-to-back Masters 1000 quarter-finals in the US, on hard courts. It’s a great achievement,” he said.

Next up for Cerundolo is 14th seed Grigor Dimitrov, who defeated American Brandon Nakashima 6-4, 7-5.

A day after a thrilling three-set win over Brazilian Joao Fonseca, Australia’s Alex de Minaur was eliminated by tenth-seed Italian Matteo Berrettini who triumphed 6-3, 7-6 (9/7).

Berrettini had the chance to close out the match when serving at 6-5 but let three match points slip and the match went into a tie-break.

De Minaur then had a great chance to force a deciding set when he was 6/3 up but was unable to convert the three set points and Berrettini was able to claw back victory.

The Italian will face third-seed Taylor Fritz who progressed with a 6-3, 7-5 win over Australia lucky loser Adam Walton.

The rain delay meant that top-seed Alexander Zverev’s fourth-round match against France’s Arthur Fils has been postponed until Wednesday.

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Novak Djokovic would not commit to working with Andy Murray again as his coach after the Serb retired from the Australian Open semi-finals on Friday with injury.

The 10-time Melbourne Park champion had just lost a first-set tiebreak to Alexander Zverev when he called it a day, unable to continue with a thigh muscle tear sustained earlier in the tournament.

Djokovic enlisted five-time Melbourne Park finalist Andy Murray to help his quest for a 25th Grand Slam title.

It seemed to be working as Djokovic outsmarted Carlos Alcaraz in the quarter-finals, despite the injury.

“I don’t know,” said Djokovic when asked by reporters if the two tennis greats, who have 27 Grand Slam titles and three Olympic golds between them, might team up again.

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“You know, we both were disappointed with what just happened, so we didn’t talk about the future steps. We are so fresh off the court.

“I’ll definitely have a chat with Andy and thank him for being here with me. You know, give him my feedback, which is, of course, positive, and see how he feels and we make the next step.”

Novak Djokovic said that with emotions running high after such a dramatic end to his tournament, it would be better to wait for the dust to settle before taking any rash decisions.

“We are still hot-headed and disappointed, so it’s kind of hard to switch the page and start talking about what the next steps are,” said Djokovic.

“I think we both need to cool off a little bit and then we’ll have a chat.”

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Novak Djokovic feels as mentally and emotionally motivated as he’s ever been, but the Serbian great admits to be being worried about his creaking body ahead of an Australian Open semi-final with “super dangerous” Alexander Zverev.

The irrepressible 37-year-old put to bed any doubts about his ability to add to his 24 Grand Slam titles with a scintillating four-set takedown of Carlos Alcaraz in the Melbourne last eight on Tuesday.

But while the 10-time Australian champion was able to pull out every trick in the book to get past a man 16 years his junior, it took its toll.

He had to leave court for a medical timeout at 4-5 in the first set, returning with his upper left leg taped and on painkillers to battle through.

Asked whether it was a hamstring or groin problem, he did not want to elaborate, but said: “It’s very similar to what I had few years ago, 2023, to be exact.”

Djokovic famously won the 2023 Australian Open while managing an injury in the same area.

“I’ll take it day by day. Now it’s really about recovery,” he added.

“I’m concerned. I am, to be honest, physically. But if I manage somehow to be physically good enough, I think mentally, emotionally I’m as motivated as I can be.”

Alexander Zverev is into the semi-finals for a second straight year and is laser focused on finally winning a maiden Slam title after a decade of trying.

Last year at the same stage he crashed to Daniil Medvedev in five sets after holding a 2-0 lead and is understandably wary of Djokovic, even if he is carrying an injury.

“I’m going to prepare myself for a tough battle,” he said. “I’m going to prepare myself for a very intense and high-level match.”

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Djokovic is equally cautious about the German, who is at a career-high world number two.

“I mean, I’m playing Zverev, who is in a great form, and he is going for his first Grand Slam. He’s been close. I mean, I’ve seen him play. I practised with him as well here,” he said.

“I think he loves the conditions. He’s got big serve. He’s super dangerous opponent on this surface against anyone.”

Novak Djokovic holds an 8-4 record over the 27-year-old and will be looking to new coach Andy Murray, who himself won three of his four meetings with Alexander Zverev, to establish a game plan.

The Scot has been a calm and collected presence in Djokovic’s courtside box during the tournament after the former rivals unexpectedly joined forces late last year.

The Serbian, who is into a record 50th Grand Slam semi-final, headed straight over to embrace him after beating Alcaraz.

“I feel more and more connected with Andy every day. We face challenges every single day. People don’t see that obviously,” said Djokovic.

“We try to make the most out of every day and grow together. He’s been as committed to my career and this tournament as he can be.

“So it was kind of a gesture of appreciation, respect for him, and the fact that he’s out there, and he doesn’t need to be. He accepted to work with me.

“He’s giving all his support to me, to the whole team, and trying to make it work.

“This (against Alcaraz) was a huge win for all of us, including Andy and myself, you know, for the relationship. That’s why I went to him, because I just felt very grateful that he’s there.”

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Andy Murray is prepared to face the pressure from Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open, as he believes that the “unique opportunity” to coach him is worth it.

The Serbian 24-time Grand Slam winner Djokovic made the shock decision to hire Murray in November, just months after the Scot called time on his playing career.

In his first comments since then, fellow former number one Murray, who has known Djokovic since their junior playing days, said the call came out of the blue.

“I said to him: ‘Look, I need to think about it and talk to my family,'” the BBC quoted Murray as saying.

“So I spoke to them and after a couple of days I thought that it was a pretty unique opportunity and experience.

“I thought it would be a good idea to try it.”

Andy Murray is himself a three-time major winner — and five-time finalist in Australia — with both players members of the so-called “Big Four”, along with Rafael Nadal, who retired last year, and Roger Federer, who left the sport in 2022.

Djokovic and Murray faced each other 36 times in their careers with the Serb winning 25 of them.

Nineteen of those clashes came in finals, with both men known for sounding off at their box in pressure moments. This time it could be Murray on the receiving end.

“I know it’s not easy out there — it’s stressful and at times he’s going to want to vent towards his team and his box,” said Murray.

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“Providing that he’s giving his best effort and trying as hard as he can, I’m absolutely fine with him expressing himself how he wants.”

Djokovic said Murray inspired him and he was enjoying the collaboration.

“I think that his unique perspective on my game is the fact that he has played me for 25 years,” the Serbian star said on Friday. “He knows the evolution of my game, I guess the weaknesses and strengths of my game.”

“He also knows the game, the tennis game, of the biggest players in the world right now because he has just recently retired as a player.

“I’m excited to start the tournament with him,” he added.

With Novak Djokovic chasing an 11th Australian Open title and record 25th major, Murray made clear he was not in town for a holiday.

“At times it’s very enjoyable. But high performance is not supposed to be laughs and jokes and messing around,” he said.

“In all the times I’ve been on tour, I haven’t seen that from any of the best players in the world.

“I’ve seen it from some of the lower-ranked players, and that’s one of the reasons why they’re not there.”

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