“Isn’t Praised Enough”: Denis Shapovalov Lauds Novak Djokovic for Locker-Room Advice Post Semi-Final Loss at Wimbledon Championships 2021

Over the past three years, there has been one name that constantly came up in the grand slam winners list on the men’s tour. It was Novak Djokovic who is on an invincible slam-winning spree at the moment as he reached yet another finals at Wimbledon Championships.

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With a straight-sets victory over the youngster Denis Shapovalov, Djokovic won twenty straight victories at SW19. One more win will place him alongside Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer as all the three of them will equal the grand slam race with twenty titles each.

Even though the Serb came through the semis in straight sets, a lot of credit must be given to the Canadian for putting up a tough fight right till the very end.

Novak Djokovic survives mighty scare from Shapovalov at Wimbledon Championships

Game-wise, Shapovalov played tremendous tennis from the back of the court, stunning the Serb with a lot of forehand and backhand winners.

Djokovic, who is known for his mental fortitude on-court, held his nerve and patiently waited for Shapovalov to be vulnerable on-serve. It’s in these crucial moments the Canadian let go off his serve and lost the match eventually.

After the match, Shapovalov was in tears as he applauded the center court crowd for cheering him all along. It appeared as if the Canadian couldn’t have done anything else on-court. He gave the match his all and ended up on the losing side.

Even Djokovic accepted in the on-court interview after the match that Shapovalov was the better player in the contest. But, that doesn’t take away the fact that the Serb produced top-notch tennis when it needed the most.

Playing crucial points well has been the trait of Djokovic for so long. In the last few years, the world number has raised that skill to another level, mostly unattainable by his peers which include the likes of Nadal and Federer.

“It’s very nice for him to do it” – Shapovalov hails Djokovic for locker-room advice

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During the post-match press conference, the Canadian mentioned the nice gesture Djokovic did for him in the locker room and said that the Serb doesn’t get enough credit for his sportsmanship spirit.

“He came up to me in the locker room. Told me he knows how difficult it is for me right now but that it’ll all come along. He doesn’t have to do it, it’s very nice from him to do it. He isn’t praised enough”,?told Shapovalov.

Djokovic was one of the very few players who always appreciates opponents on-court and maintains warm embraces at the net despite the result. The Serb faces Matteo Berrettini in the championship match at Wimbledon on Sunday.

Also read: ?Leaves Centre Court in Tears?: Denis Shapovalov Breaks Down Following Semi-Final Loss to Novak Djokovic