World number one Novak Djokovic admits he feels terrible after losing in both Men’s singles and mixed double semi-finals.
Djokovic’s hopes of a golden slam ended today after losing to Alexander Zverev 1-6 6-3 6-1 in the men’s singles semi-finals.
After leading by a set and a break at 3-2, Djokovic fell apart losing 10 of the last 11 games to see his hopes of a historic golden slam end.
Furthermore Djokovic also failed to reach the gold medal match with Nina Stojanovic in the mixed doubles after a 7-6(4) 7-5 defeat to Elena Vesnina and Aslan Karatsev.
After the match talking in the mixed zone Djokovic admitted there was a terrible feeling after today’s disappointment, “Tough day, a really tough day. I feel so terrible right now,” Djokovic was quoted as saying by the Metro.
“My game fell apart. I was leading a set then a break and he managed to turn the match around, he served huge, was attacking, and I was not getting any free points on my first serves and I missed a lot of first serves from 3-2 in the second.
“To play someone of his quality, of his level, it’s just too tough to win a match. I just stopped, allowed him to dictate, my first serve percentage was low. At this level, with the pressure of playing for your country at the Olympics…
“Look, I didn’t come here fresh, I came here exhausted emotionally, but very motivated and with a great desire to win a medal for my country. I hope to use at least one of the chances tomorrow.”
Djokovic will now hope to gain a bronze medal tomorrow which would be his second/third medal at the Olympics following his bronze medal at Beijing in 2008.
The Serb will play Pablo Carreno Busta in singles while in mixed doubles he will face fellow world number one Ash Barty and doubles specialist John Peers.
As for gold, the wait goes on with his next opportunity will be in Paris in 2024 where the Serb will be 37.
After the Olympics Djokovic will look to achieve the grand slam when he looks to win the US Open in New York.
