Novak Djokovic dominated the singles match with Ioannis Xilas, winning with a resounding 6-0, 6-1 and took to the field in doubles alongside the young Hamad Medjedovic, in the Davis Cup qualifying round.
🗣️ “In order to prolong my career, I need to enjoy, I need to choose wisely tournaments I am going to play.”
📸Getty #djokovic #novakdjokovic #djokernole #daviscup #atptour #tiebreaktennis pic.twitter.com/mFzfMZghJk
— Tiebreak Tennis (@tiebreaktennis_) September 15, 2024
At the end of the match, Djokovic wanted to clarify some considerations expressed in the first press conference. The winner of the gold medal at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games explained that he will continue to represent his country in the Davis Cup, but that he cannot know if he will have the chance to do so again in front of his home crowd, considering the new format of the competition.
“I am really pleased with this young guy. Hamad led the team to victory today. I congratulate him, it was nice to play with him. I didn’t say it would be my last time in Davis Cup, but it was probably my last match in Serbia,” he said.
It was the doubles match that gave the final verdict, the most spectacular match in the World Group I challenge between Serbia and Greece. The one who obtained the qualification to try to return to the Final Phase of the Davis Cup – as it was already understood yesterday afternoon – was Novak Djokovic’s team.
As revealed by the 21-year-old Medjedovic, Djokovic is one of the main reasons why he plays tennis. The 37-year-old allowed Medjedovic to train in his Academy and financed much of the expenses a young athlete needs to travel and build a team. The two had the chance to share the court by winning the decisive point at the end of a battle that ended with the score of 6-3, 3-6, 6-3. Aristotelis Thanos and Petros Tsitsipas tried to partially reopen the qualification discussion, but they surrendered in the third set.
Сјајан дан за Србију и испраћај нашег пријатеља @filipkrajinovic.
Такође молитве да се Дуци @Dutzee опорави што пре 🙏
🇷🇸🙌💪 pic.twitter.com/vA4dEyK2Fx
— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) September 15, 2024