By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Sunday January 8, 2022
When it comes to delivering in the clutch, and coming back from the brink, Novak Djokovic may be the best we’ve ever seen. After last night’s heroics in Adelaide, the 21-time major champion has now won a tournament in which he saved match points eight times.
Djokovic, who came back from match point down to win a match for the 16th time against Sebastian Korda to win 6-7(8), 7-6(3), 6-4, says it is difficult to quantify the skills that one must put into play in order to achieve the feat.
“It's hard to say what the formula of success is in these kind of particular circumstances,” he told the media on Sunday in Adelaide. “I feel like each one of us is so different and we are all unique in our own way in terms of the character, in terms of the body, in terms of how we play tennis.
“Someone feels more comfortable serving and volleying when you're match point down, some feeling playing conservatively from the back of the court. It's really a matter of and a question of the moment, who you play against, what do you feel.”
Djokovic has authored some of the more legendary match point saves in tennis history, including two in the US Open semifinals in back-to-back years (2010 and 2011) against Roger Federer, and another in the Wimbledon final in 2019 against Federer, when Djokovic became the first man to save a match point in a Wimbledon final since 1948.
Djokovic admits that it’s not always easy to think clearly in such situations.
“Of course, thousands of thoughts are running in your head at that moment,” he said. “You feel pressure, no doubt. It's just now how you handle it, how you adapt to it, and how you bring yourself back to the present moment and try to get the most out of it.”
The Serb has won 16 matches from match point down and only lost three while holding match point. In comparison to his big three rivals, he is head and shoulders ahead, as Federer is 22-24, and Nadal is 17-8.
Additionally, Djolkovic’s five victories from match point down are more than Federer (4) and Nadal (0).
“As I said, statistically I've been lucky to win more of these kinds of matches,” he said. “Of course, the more you win these particular matches, the better you feel. I think it gets to the head of your opponents more, as well. That's what I want. I want them to know that regardless of the scoreline, I'm always there, I'm always fighting till the last shot, and I'm able to turn things around.
“Of course, going into the court with anybody knowing that they know as well what I'm capable of is, of course, advantage.”
Djokovic says that Sunday’s victory will give him an enormous confidence boost moving forward.
“I think in the tough days, when you're not maybe striking the ball, not feeling your best on the court, and you win the match, particularly if it's like later stages of the tournament, like the finals, it just gives you even more confidence and satisfaction for achieving that.”
Feeling Good About Chances in Melbourne
The World No.5 said he was extremely pleased to put his 92nd title under his belt. He has now won 34 consecutive matches in Australia and heads to Melbourne as the odds-on favorite to win his 19th Aussie Open title.
“Five great matches,” Djokovic said. “The last three opponents... Second round, 7-6, 7-6, tough two tiebreakers against Halys, who is playing very well. Then I had Shapovalov, Medvedev and Korda, who is on fire, playing some high-level tennis, striking the ball amazingly. I couldn't ask for a better preparation and lead-up to Australian Open.”
Not Holding Grudges, Just Happy to Be Back in the Land Down Under
As far as his deportation from Australia in 2022 goes, the 35-year-old says it is in the past and he prefers to focus on the positives. He is back in the country and playing in front of legions of Serbian fans who cherish the opportunity to watch him live again.
“I don't hold any grudges,” he said. “I told you I had far many more positive experiences in Australia to throw that away just because of what happened last year.”
Hamstring Not a Big Issue
Lastly, Djokovic has erased concern that he may have picked up a lingering issue during his semifinal with Daniil Medvedev in Adelaide. It was worrisome at the time, seeing Djokovic go off court with a hamstring issue and come back with strapping. He struggled to move at times during the match, but appears to be feeling much better after putting in time with his team to ensure the injury wouldn’t be exacerbated by playing.
“Went deep into night last night with work done with the physio,” he said. “Talked with the doctors, as well, of the tournament, et cetera. There was a lot of care going into today's match about the hamstring. It was all right.
“Few times in the match I felt was tightening up, the muscle, but nothing that would worry me for my performance.”