Novak Djokovic has no problem at all with his painful defeat in the quarter finals of the Vienna ATP tournament. The number one in the world only took three games against the Italian ‘lucky loser’ Lorenzo Sonego: 2-6 and 1-6.
“I came to Vienna to earn points for the world rankings and to secure my first place until the end of this year,” said Djokovic. “I have achieved that goal.”
The Serb suffered one of the biggest defeats of his career against Sonego. It was the first time that he won no more than three games in a match over two sets won. At the 2005 Australian Open he did that in a match over three sets won. Then he lost 0-6, 2-6 and 1-6 to Marat Safin.
“He just blew me off the track, that’s all,” said Djokovic about the defeat against Sonego. “He was better in every way. It was also a pretty bad game on my part, but great on his part. He certainly deserved the win.”
“I have no problems whatsoever with today’s result. I am otherwise fit and look forward to ending the season strongly in London,” he said of the ATP Finals, which are scheduled for November 15-22. in the British capital.
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Lorenzo Sonego is ecstatic after his victory over Novak Djokovic. (Photo: Pro Shots)
Djokovic can still lose first place to Nadal
Djokovic can theoretically lose the first place in the world ranking to Rafael Nadal, if the Spaniard decides to participate in the ATP tournament in Sofia next month. Nadal has not registered for that tournament, but can still request a wildcard.
When Djokovic closes the year for the sixth time as number one in the world, he comes on a level with record holder Pete Sampras. The US service cannon was at the top of the year from 1993 to 1998. Djokovic previously achieved that in 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015 and 2018. Nadal and Roger Federer both ended the season in first place five times.
Sonego could not be lucky with his victory over Djokovic. “This is definitely the best win of my life. Novak is the best player in the world. Today I played so incredibly well. It’s incredible”, the global number 42 jubilated.
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