No one doubts that Alexander Zverev has been Novak Djokovic’s beast noir in a 2021 season that pointed to historic for the Serbian after winning titles at the Australian Open, Roland Garros and Wimbledon and which had a turning point after Zverev surpassed Djokovic in the semifinals of the Tokyo Olympics, where the German was proclaimed champion.
Although the balance between the two this season is 3-2 for Djokovic, the two defeats that Zverev has endorsed the Serbian have been very painful. First, the one already mentioned in the semifinals of Tokyo 2020, where Zverev put an end to Djokovic’s Olympic dream. And then with his victory in the semifinals of the Nitto ATP Finals, where he deprived Djokovic of playing the final for equaling Federer’s six ‘Master’ titles.
Faced with these precedents, Djokovic once again displayed the sportsmanship that characterizes him on several occasions to surrender to Zverev’s great year and compared the German’s situation with his own and how tennis has helped him. “Alexander Zverev has had a rough year both on and off the court. I know how tennis has helped me grow and I am happy with Sascha’s winning streak this year. He is a great guy and I can only say words of praise towards him. and his team. Well done for this season finale and for this great title Sascha! “