{"id":96264,"date":"2023-11-19T19:08:55","date_gmt":"2023-11-19T19:08:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stopsmokingway.com\/?p=96264"},"modified":"2023-11-19T19:08:55","modified_gmt":"2023-11-19T19:08:55","slug":"novak-djokovic-gets-atp-finals-revenge-as-nadal-given-comeback-predictions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stopsmokingway.com\/tennis\/novak-djokovic-gets-atp-finals-revenge-as-nadal-given-comeback-predictions\/","title":{"rendered":"Novak Djokovic gets ATP Finals revenge as Nadal given comeback predictions"},"content":{"rendered":"

Novak Djokovic says he will ‘keep going’ after US Open win<\/h3>\n

The final day of the ATP Finals is upon us as Novak Djokovic prepares to take on Jannik Sinner in Sunday’s final. It has been an eventful tournament set to be capped off with the 24-time Grand Slam champion taking on home favourite Sinner as they look to end their seasons on a high.<\/p>\n

The Serb comfortably dispatched Carlos Alcaraz 6-3, 6-2 in the semi-finals while Sinner overcame Daniil Medvedev 6-3, 6-7, 6-1 to set up what should be an entertaining final.<\/p>\n

Sinner is the only undefeated player in the tournament after already defeating Djokovic in the group stage and will feel that he has the upper hand on Sunday’s opponent, though the 36-year-old can rarely be counted out when the pressure is on.<\/p>\n

The men’s doubles also features a Brit as Joe Salisbury and Rajeev Ram face Horacio Zeballos and Marcel Granollers in the first match before Djokovic and Sinner take to the stage in Turin.<\/p>\n

Follow Express Sport’s LIVE updates from the ATP Finals below…<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Alcaraz’s off-season plans emerge with another Djokovic showdown<\/h3>\n

Carlos Alcaraz’s off-season has officially begin following his loss to Novak Djokovic in the semi-final of the ATP Finals.<\/p>\n

But the pair are already guaranteed to meet again as they will face off in an exhibition match in Saudi Arabia on December 27. Alcaraz is also headlining another exho in Mexico, facing Tommy Paul on November 29.<\/p>\n

According to Marca, Alcaraz has plotted his pre-Australian Open calendar too.<\/p>\n

He will head home to Spain following the exhibition with Djokovic and is only set to fly to Australia on the week of January 8, playing two more warm-up matches before the first Major of 2024 begins on January 14.<\/p>\n

Read the full story HERE.<\/p>\n

Djokovic and Sinner could meet again next week<\/h3>\n

Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner are about to take to the court for the final of the ATP Finals.<\/p>\n

It is their second meeting this week after the Italian got his first win over the world No 1 in the round-robin stage on Tuesday.<\/p>\n

And they could meet once again next weekend at the Davis Cup. Djokovic will represent Serbia while Sinner is part of team Italy.<\/p>\n

If both nations win their respective quarter-final ties, they will contest the semi-final on Saturday November 25.<\/p>\n

Alcaraz’s coach admits he must “mature” after Djokovic loss<\/h3>\n

Carlos Alcaraz’s 2023 season came to an end on Saturday night when he lost to Novak Djokovic 6-3 6-2. It was the most one-sided match of their rivalry so far and the Spaniard’s coach has now admitted that he must learn to mature after the mental side let him down.<\/p>\n

“His mental level has meant that his tennis level was not there. With two mistakes the game is gone,” Juan Carlos Ferrero said, per Marca.<\/p>\n

“You have to improve in what it means to be a professional all the time. These are things for a 20-year-old kid and he has to mature.”<\/p>\n

Read the full story HERE.<\/p>\n

British success at the ATP Finals as Salisbury and Ram defend their title<\/h3>\n

Joe Salisbury ensured that Britain tasted success at the ATP Finals as he successfully defended his doubles title with partner Rajeev Ram.<\/p>\n

The pair beat Horacio Zeballos and Marcel Granollers 6-3 6-4 in Sunday’s final to lift the trophy for the second year in a row. Just like last year, they went undefeated during the week and have now won 10 matches in a row in Turin.<\/p>\n

It means Salisbury will be in-form heading into Britain’s Davis Cup tie against Serbia next Thursday.<\/p>\n

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Medvedev’s wife “doesn’t like” off-season plans<\/h3>\n

Daniil Medvedev is going on holiday after ending his 2023 season with a loss to Jannik Sinner in yesterday’s semi-final.<\/p>\n

He will now take his first trip to the islands in five years. But his wife Daria won’t be too happy that she has nothing to do.<\/p>\n

“This year we’re going to go with my wife to the islands. First time in maybe four, five years,” he said after losing to Sinner.<\/p>\n

“She doesn’t like it too much there because there is not much to do. But for me, that’s perfect after a hectic season. I love it.”<\/p>\n

Read the full story HERE.<\/p>\n

Nadal tipped for return to the top<\/h3>\n

Rafael Nadal has been tipped to mark his comeback from injury by returning to the sport’s summit.<\/p>\n

Nadal has been out of action for almost the entire year and is preparing to make a comeback at the Australian Open, where Juan Carlos Ferrero believes he can compete at the highest level.<\/p>\n

“He will surely return wanting to compete because he has a competitive animal inside him,” he told Marca. “I see it as logical that he does not see himself competing with Djokovic or against the best right now because he has been out of competition for a long time and it is always difficult to get started again.<\/p>\n

“But once he is on the court, his mentality of competing to his maximum will not change. Those who are very, very good always come up with something different from the others and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him at the highest level again.”<\/p>\n

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Sinner’s red hair an issue<\/h3>\n

Jannik Sinner has bemoaned his red hair as the reason why he is getting recognised in public so often.<\/p>\n

The Italian ATP Finals finalist takes on Novak Djokovic today after lamenting the attention he receives, partly due to the colour of his hair.<\/p>\n

“I guess it’s part of that what I do, no? The only issue that I have red hair, so it’s easy to recognize me,” he said.<\/p>\n

“Things change when I have a cap on, so it’s good. But still, I’m not looking for – how do you say – attention off the court, no? If people, they recognize me, it is a good feeling, nice feeling.<\/p>\n

“Honestly, I don’t care so much how famous I am because I always have done normal things. I am a normal boy or man, getting a man now. There are some things what change, but in the other way it’s all good.”<\/p>\n

Today’s matches<\/h3>\n

This is the last day of the ATP Finals with two matches set to take place.<\/p>\n

First up is the men’s doubles between Brit Joe Salisbury and Rajeev Ram, who face Horacio Zeballos and Marcel Granollers. That session begins at 2.00pm.<\/p>\n

Then in the men’s singles final Novak Djokovic is hoping for revenge against Jannik Sinner after his group-stage defeat to the Italian. They are scheduled to begin no earlier than 5.00pm.<\/p>\n

Djokovic backed to defeat Sinner<\/h3>\n

Novak Djokovic has been backed to get his revenge over Jannik Sinner and defeat him in today’s ATP Finals final.<\/p>\n

The Serb lost to Sinner in the group stage of the tournament, but American icon Andy Roddick expects Djokovic to respond with another title.<\/p>\n

“You can just cut and paste my answer from yesterday where I said that for the last decade I haven’t bet against Novak and until further notice I’m not going to. Listen, someone might sneak a win in here and there, Sinner obviously beat him three days ago and this is no disrespect to the way Sinner’s been playing this week,” he said on the Tennis Channel.<\/p>\n

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Judy Murray responds to Dimitrov<\/h3>\n

Andy Murray’s mother Judy has responded to Grigor Dimitrov’s motivational speech and insisted that in Scotland, those in tennis are not fairly rewarded for their efforts.<\/p>\n

Bulgarian star Dimitrov insisted that in tennis, you get out what you put in – in terms of effort. “Tennis is the type of sport where whatever you put in, you get out of it, eventually, maybe not right away,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI always, I think one of my most important things is always, go at it, give a hundred per cent and you never know how the cards will unfold, but at least when you look back, you’ll be so proud of yourself. Our sport is difficult enough.”<\/p>\n

But Murray insisted that is not the case in every country, as she took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to reply with: “Unless you live in Scotland.”<\/p>\n

Kyrgios discusses Williams doubles<\/h3>\n

Nick Kyrgios has opened up on what it was like to play a doubles match with icon Serena Williams.<\/p>\n

The Aussie competed alongside the 23-time Major winner when he was 19 at the International Premier Tennis League in 2014 and discussed that opportunity.<\/p>\n

“Serena Williams, arguably in the GOAT conversation as well, probably right there,” Kyrgios told the Tennis Channel. “I played mixed doubles with her. She was very bossy on the court, I mean confident, and I had to listen to her.”<\/p>\n

Medvedev bold claim<\/h3>\n

Daniil Medvedev boldly claimed that there is not much to separate himself from Novak Djokovic, Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz and Holger Rune.<\/p>\n

Djokovic and Alcaraz took the four Grand Slams this season between them, the Spaniard winning Wimbledon while Djokovic took the other three but Medvedev feels that there isn’t much between them at the top.<\/p>\n

\u201cJannik, Holger and Carlos at this moment are at the top,\u201d he said. \u201cFor sure Ben Shelton, Arthur Fils, guys like this, they can also come there. I think because they’re at the top, there is not much difference between me, even Novak, and them.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe difference is that Novak has won 24 Grand Slams. When they play one-on-one, as we saw, he can lose. So there is not much difference. If I compare to myself, the difference is I started playing top tennis maybe at 23. I think it was 2019.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey started doing it at, like, 19. Pretty impressive. At 19 I was probably 600 in the world. That’s impressive. That’s also why I like my journey. I was not like them. I had to slowly, slowly dig my way up. Now I’m here and I’m really happy.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Djokovic heartwarming gesture<\/h3>\n

Novak Djokovic made a heartwarming gesture by inviting a fan to the ATP Finals for two days on an all-expenses-paid trip.<\/p>\n

The Serb was clearly impressed with the supporter’s piece of art, while he also claimed not to have missed a Djokovic match for seven years.<\/p>\n

He was invited to attend the group stage match against Jannik Sinner, before the two face off again today in the final.<\/p>\n

<\/path><\/g><\/g><\/g><\/svg>View this post on Instagram<\/p>\n

A post shared by Lorenzo Petrini (@youarelorenzopetrini)<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Alcaraz not thinking about Djokovic record<\/h3>\n

Carlos Alcaraz has insisted he is “not thinking” about matching Novak Djokovic’s 400 weeks as world No 1.<\/p>\n

Alcaraz was defeated by the Serb in the semi-finals but will be confident for next year after an impressive 2023 season that saw him win Wimbledon.<\/p>\n

“Well, honestly, if I have to think about it, I have to stay there about 15 years,” Alcaraz said when asked about Djokovic’s run at No 1. “So is unbelievable.<\/p>\n

“Of course, I’m motivated because I want to beat this guy. I want to be the best in history. I want to practice with a goal. I want to beat him. I want to win every tournament that I’m going to play.<\/p>\n

“But at the same time I will not think about it because it’s really, really difficult. It’s something that a legend from our sport could make it.<\/p>\n

“It’s unbelievable what he’s doing, just breaking records, winning every tournament that he goes. It’s crazy. It’s a mix of motivation and a mix of I don’t want to think about it.”<\/p>\n

Djokovic previews Sinner final<\/h3>\n

Novak Djokovic is clearly aware of the tough test that lies ahead in Turin when he takes on Jannik Sinner.<\/p>\n

Not only will he have the home crowd against him, but having already lost to Sinner this tournament he believes that the Italian has been the best player at the ATP Finals.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe has been the best player of the tournament so far. Won four out of four matches and played some great tennis. Obviously riding on the big wave of support of his Italian crowd here,\u201d Djokovic said.<\/p>\n

\u201cTomorrow is the finals. He\u2019s going for his first trophy. I\u2019m going for my seventh in the year-end World Tour Finals. I\u2019ve been in these situations before. Hopefully experience can help a bit. But I don\u2019t think it\u2019s going to prevail because he\u2019s been playing well, he\u2019s going to have crowd on his side.\u201d<\/p>\n

Roddick brutal Alcaraz comment<\/h3>\n

US tennis icon Andy Roddick has stuck the knife into Carlos Alcaraz following his semi-finals defeat to Novak Djokovic.<\/p>\n

The Serb claimed a 6-3, 6-2 win and Roddick believes that Alcaraz still has a long way to go before he can match Djokovic.<\/p>\n

“It\u2019s just absurd,” Roddick told the Tennis Channel. “And his winner-to-error ratio is about even. Novak just one-ups him kind of everywhere. Putting a three and two beating on someone who is clearly the second best player in the world this year, who has beaten you in a Grand Slam final.<\/p>\n

“I mean, no disrespect to Alcaraz because he is as special a prospect as we\u2019ve seen in 20 years. But Novak is just too tough, especially on this surface. This surface does more for Novak\u2019s game than it does for Alcaraz\u2019s game.”<\/p>\n

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Djokovic dismisses Alcaraz claim<\/h3>\n

Novak Djokovic has dismissed the idea that Carlos Alcaraz is similar to his long-time rival Rafael Nadal.<\/p>\n

The Serb won the latest installation of their rivalry by downing Alcaraz in straight sets during the semi-finals, before discussing comparisons to Nadal.<\/p>\n

“No, I don’t (see Nadal in Alcaraz),” Djokovic said. “They are different players. In terms of the great occasion and the feeling of the intensity on the court that he brings, yeah, there is some similarity.<\/p>\n

“But he’s a completely different player from Rafa. He’s one of the most complete players that I ever faced in my career.<\/p>\n

“It’s quite impressive for his age that he’s able to play consistently well for now several years already, and he’s the youngest-ever No. 1 in the world that we had.<\/p>\n

“A brilliant career already, and I think it’s quite obvious that he’s going to have a brilliant career full of success in the years to come.<\/p>\n

“He’s still very, very young. But, yeah, he does bring the best out of me. He makes me prepare for the match as best that I possibly can.<\/p>\n

“That’s where I probably would compare it to the preparations that I had in the matches against Nadal or [Roger] Federer, where I had to come out every single time at the peak of my abilities in order to win against them.”<\/p>\n

Good morning<\/h3>\n

Hello and welcome to Express Sport’s<\/em> live coverage of the last day of the ATP Finals.<\/p>\n

Novak Djokovic takes on Jannik Sinner in today’s men’s singles final and you can ensure you’re completely up to date by checking out yesterday’s recap.<\/p>\n