Novak Djokovic Admits Health Concerns after Defeat

Novak Djokovic, was handed a disappointing end to his season, after he was beaten in straight sets by the German youngster Alexander Zverev 6-4, 6-3. Djokovic looked to be struggling during his match after the first set, with breathing problems as well as looking drained out of energy. The Serb admitted in his post match press conference that his efforts during the latter half of the season that propelled him to the world number one spot, eventually had begun to take their toll on his body.

“Maybe. Yeah, maybe a little bit”, said Novak Djokovic, when he was asked about him being drained physically. “Health-wise I haven’t been really perfect in the last three, four weeks. That took a lot out of me”, he added. However, Djokovic says he is not altogether bothered about his bitter losses against Karen Khachanov and Alexander Zverev, in the finals of the Paris Masters 1000 as well as at the ATP World Tour Finals, after his victories at Wimbledon and at the US Open earlier this year.

“Finishing the year as No. 1 (in the ATP singles Rankings), that was the goal coming into the indoor season. I managed to achieve that,” Djokovic said. “Overall it was a phenomenal season that I have to be definitely very proud of”, said Novak Djokovic. “Obviously no one likes to lose a tennis match. You try your best. But at the same time, as I said on the court, you put things in a larger perspective, see things a bit differently,” Djokovic added. “When you get out of this feeling of a little bit disappointment that you lost, [you can enjoy] all the positive things that I have to reflect on and also take from this season, especially the last six months.”

Djokovic has decided to take as many positives as possible out of his second half resurgence this season. “When I went on the table for surgery, I knew it was going to be a different season because it never happened. Whatever the outcome in the end of the year, I knew that I’m going to learn a lot from this season,” said the US Open Champion. “Fortunately for me, it ended up in the best possible way. Yeah, I’m just grateful”