Novak Djokovic battles back from the brink to win EPIC Adelaide final after arguing with his team
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Novak Djokovic ordered his brother out of the player’s box in an extraordinary collapse on court before winning the Adelaide International final.
The Serbian star had lost his opening set to world number 33 Sebastian Korda when he grew visibly frustrated and pointed towards the corporate box.
His brother Marko and one other person left the box before Djokovic fought his way back onto the court and won the epic three-set thriller.
Sportscaster Roger Rasheed claimed that the sports star seemed angry, but determined to win the matchup.
“He pointed to his box and two out of five members are no longer sitting there,” he said.
Novak Djokovic beat Sebastian Korda in an epic final in Adelaide on Sunday
“It’s probably living proof that he really wants to win in this final.” He has a game face, mixed with a bit of anger at the moment.
Speaking after prevailing 6-7 (8-10) 7-6 (7-3) 6-4 in a match that lasted three hours, eight minutes, the 21-time Grand Slam champion admitted it had not been an easy night.
“I would like to thank my team for managing me, for tolerating me in good times and bad,” he said during the on-pitch interview after the game.
‘Today, I’m sure they didn’t have as much fun with me going back and forth with them, but I appreciate that they’re here.
‘My brother Marko is here too, I don’t see him much so I appreciate you coming here, I love you. It’s been an amazing week and you guys made it even more special for me.’
Djokovic strained his left hamstring during Saturday’s semifinal win over Daniil Medvedev but was able to overcome the setback during the decider against Korda.
The Serb had a bizarre argument with members of his entourage, asking two of them to leave his coach’s box at the end of the first set.
Djokovic was visibly frustrated at times during the match against Korda on Sunday.
The victory was a huge confidence boost for Djokovic in his quest for a 10th Australian Open title later this month.
The victory also extended his winning streak in Australia to 34 matches over five years.
Korda, the 22-year-old American son of 1998 Australian Open Czech champion Petr Korda, won over many fans with an astonishing effort against one of the best ever.
The first set was an absorbing affair with numerous momentum swings and set points for both players.
Korda sealed the crucial break to lead 5-4, but squandered three set points at 40-0 to allow Djokovic to break and level the contest.
Djokovic failed to convert his own set point at 6-5 when Korda unleashed a powerful serve.
The tiebreaker was even more intense, with Korda again choking at crucial moments.
Korda squandered a 6-3 lead, with the third of those set points a terrifying shot into the net from close range when he had almost the entire court at his mercy.
Korda won the first set and saved a championship point in the second set
Djokovic also had a moment to forget, with the 21-time Grand Slam winner framing a shot into the crowd during his own set point.
Korda finally got through on his seventh set point, with Djokovic furious as he made his way to his rest area.
Djokovic sat down before shouting at his box supporters, ordering two of his entourage to leave the area.
The second set was a close affair, but Korda earned a championship point on Djokovic’s serve.
The Serb fought from the edge to triumph 6-7 (8-10) 7-6 (7-3) 6-4 in over three hours.
Djokovic saved match point with a nerveless overhead strike, coming up with things to level the match. The third set looked headed for a tiebreaker before Djokovic pounced when Korda pushed late.
And the Serb, who hasn’t lost on Australian soil since being beaten by South Korea’s Hyeon Chung in the fourth round of the 2018 Australian Open, praised his younger rival.
“I would probably say that today you were closer to victory than I was; it was decided in one or two shots, one or two points,” he said, turning to Korda.
“Bad luck today but the future is bright for you so keep going, you are an amazing player.”
Djokovic praised Korda after the match and admitted that his opponent had been a better player
Djokovic also thanked the Australian public for their support since his return to the country following his controversial deportation last year following his decision not to get a Covid-19 vaccination.
“It’s been an incredible week and you guys made it even more special,” Djokovic said during the trophy ceremony, according to atptour.com.
‘For me to be standing here is a gift, definitely. I gave it my all today and throughout the week to be able to get my hands on the trophy.
“The support I’ve been getting in the last 10 days is something I don’t think I’ve experienced many times in my life, so thank you very much.” [to] all to come in every game.