Novak Djokovic’s destiny within the Nitto ATP Finals was out of his palms when Holger Rune performed Jannik Sinner within the ultimate Inexperienced Group match. Had Rune gained, the Dane would have made the semi-finals and Djokovic would have been eradicated. When Sinner gained that match in three units, Djokovic’s coach, Goran Ivanisevic, had full confidence in his cost.
“I’ve to thank Jannik a little bit bit that he gave us a little bit assist and push for him to be within the semi-finals. However I knew as quickly as he bought into the semi-final, he will win the event,” Ivanisevic mentioned. “The mentality modified. The brand new Novak Djokovic arrived on the court docket from Saturday. When actual Novak Djokovic arrives on the court docket, then [in that] second [there] is no person that may play with him.”
Ruthless Djokovic Claims Document Seventh Nitto ATP Finals Title
Djokovic went 2-1 in round-robin play and wanted three units in all three of his matches. However going through World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz within the semi-finals and the participant who defeated him in group play, Sinner, for the title, the Serbian discovered a brand new gear.
The 36-year-old didn’t lose greater than three video games in a set in opposition to both man en path to his document seventh Nitto ATP Finals title. Ivanisevic knew instantly his mentality had shifted.
“I can see in his eyes, in his method when he involves the small locker room, when he involves the follow court docket. Heat-up was completely different. Heat-up was constructive. When he entered the court docket in opposition to Alcaraz the primary time this week, he was from the primary level pumping himself [up], pumping his fist. He was very constructive in a means,” Ivanisevic mentioned. “Even when Alcaraz did not play unbelievable tennis — he was lacking quite a bit for his requirements — even when Alcaraz performs with the left hand, you could not beat him 6-3, 6-2.
“You might see in his eyes. It is very robust to beat Novak twice in a single week in the identical event. At this time was a very completely different match, fully completely different. Tactically Novak performed fully completely different than on Tuesday.”
That doesn’t imply the week was straightforward. In actual fact, Ivanisevic revealed that for some time Djokovic’s crew didn’t hear from the World No. 1 after he misplaced to Sinner.
“It’s not straightforward to cope with him when he is shedding the match. On Tuesday evening, he completed late. On Wednesday we did not see him in any respect. Till Thursday we did not know what’s taking place, to be sincere,” Ivanisevic mentioned. “We have been within the room. We did not know if we’re going residence, if we’re going to the warm-up in opposition to Hurkacz. We have been sitting, sitting. We lastly discover out that he will play.”
Djokovic discovered imperious type within the knockout stage. He didn’t lose serve in opposition to Alcaraz or Sinner, saving all six break factors he confronted in opposition to them mixed. In response to Ivanisevic, the 98-time tour-level champion is all the time on the search for a better stage.
“It is very robust to enhance with him,” Ivanisevic mentioned, cracking a smile. “However he needs to enhance. That is the great factor and unhealthy factor for me as a coach and the remainder of the crew. I believe he improved quite a bit his volleys, his sport on the web, and his place on the web. Now when he involves the online — OK, at the moment he missed some straightforward volleys — however usually this week and this yr he performs some wonderful volleys.
“His place on the web is quite a bit higher. It’s very robust to move him. Earlier than he was very straightforward to move. Now he is aware of what he is doing on the web. He is snug on the web. Within the ultimate of the US Open he performed two, three [very] necessary volleys in opposition to Medvedev. He is not afraid to come back to the online. He is hitting the forehands a lot, a lot tougher. He is going for the pictures. Serving, I believe second serve, typically he is hitting over 200 [kph]. He is simply going for it.”
