MELBOURNE: Novak Djokovic's legendary belief system, which has propelled him to 24 Grand Slam titles, remained firmly intact despite experiencing his first defeat in 11 Australian Open finals. The Serbian tennis icon displayed remarkable resilience and perspective following his four-set loss to world number one Carlos Alcaraz in the championship match.
Djokovic's Post-Match Reflections
"I always believe I can," Djokovic declared emphatically during his post-match media conference, after delivering a gracious runner-up speech. "If I didn't believe, I wouldn't be competing. It's great that I was able to beat Jannik Sinner in five sets in the semi-finals and really battle Carlos in four close sets."
Analyzing the Performance
The 38-year-old tennis maestro provided candid insight into his performance: "I'm disappointed with the way I felt in the second and third sets after an incredible start. Of course, after a loss, it's a bitter feeling, but nevertheless, I have to be content with this result."
Djokovic, who enjoyed tremendous crowd support throughout the three-hour contest, took a moment to express his appreciation for Melbourne's passionate tennis fans. His emotional speech contained subtle hints about his future in professional tennis, with the champion stating: "God knows what happens tomorrow, let alone six or twelve months."
Rankings and Future Aspirations
Despite the defeat, Djokovic will move up to number three in the world rankings on Monday. The Serbian superstar revealed his ongoing championship ambitions: "I have belief, confidence and vision to win another Slam anywhere. I lowered my expectations the last couple of years, which also allows me to let go of some of that unnecessary additional stress. It's always tension, stress and pressure, and I don't want to be overwhelmed by it."
Finding Motivation in New Challenges
Djokovic offered an interesting perspective on his current position in tennis: "It also feels good a little bit not being the favourite to win Slams. I think that kind of gives you a little bit of that extra motivation in the last rounds of the Slam."
The tennis legend concluded with heartfelt remarks about his personal priorities: "For me, the best way to deal with anything after I finish a competition is to be with my family, so that's something I'm looking forward to, and that's the only thing I'm thinking about right now — just go back to hug my close ones."
Djokovic's performance at the Australian Open demonstrated that even at 38, he remains a formidable force in men's tennis, capable of reaching Grand Slam finals and competing at the highest level against the sport's emerging talents.
