Novak Djokovic gives tetchy response in awkward ATP Finals interview despite Hurkacz win
Novak Djokovic was not entirely happy after beating Hubert Hurkacz as his ATP Finals hopes hang in the balance.
Novak Djokovic was involved in an awkward exchange with an interviewer at the ATP Finals despite beating Hubert Hurkacz as the world No 1 faces a nervous wait over his hopes of progressing. The Serbian's fate lies out of his hands despite overcoming the Pole in three sets and it appears the unusual feeling of pressure on his shoulders may have taken its toll as he looked unamused in his post-match interview.
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The 36-year-old made hard work out of the clash and not for the first time in the tournament as he was taken to three sets by Hurkacz, who was only called up to the tournament after Stefanos Tsitsipas' withdrawal.
But the 24-time Grand Slam champion made it through unscathed with a supreme third-set performance to keep his hopes of qualifying alive, clinching a 7-6 (1), 4-6, 6-1 victory.
Djokovic is usually upbeat and positive in his post-match interviews after a win, but he looked far from satisfied as he took questions from the interviewer in an awkward exchange between the two.
READ MORE Novak Djokovic changes tune as Henman spots difference about Serb at ATP Finals [INSIGHT]
After being told to wait by Djokovic for the noise to die down, the interviewer asks: “You seemed upset in that second set. What happened in this match?”
Djokovic, who then appeared a little perplexed by the question, hits back: “Why? Why was I upset? I lost the set, so it’s normal.”
Noting the blunt response from the tennis icon, the reporter retreated with their next question: “How do you reflect on the match?" they asked, to which Djokovic simply nodded and replied: “Good win, good win,” before ending the interview.
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It has been a strange week for Djokovic, who was booed by the crowd during his defeat to Jannik Sinner. His fate now rests in the hands of the man who conquered him earlier this week.
Sinner, who ended the world No 1's 19-match winning streak with a three-set victory to score the claim the biggest scalp of his career, takes on Holger Rune in the evening session.
And if the Italian records a third straight win on home turf, he will bring Djokovic through to the semi-finals with him. However, if Rune manages to pull off a shock and beat the 22-year-old, Djokovic will crash out of the tournament.
