Novak Djokovic faced a tough challenge against Jannik Sinner in the Shanghai Masters final and couldn’t secure the win. After five years away from China, Djokovic returned to enthusiastic fans who cheered him on, even hearing an announcer call him “the greatest of all time” as he entered the court. He performed impressively in his first five matches, including a thrilling semifinal victory over Taylor Fritz with scores of 6-4, 7-6.
In the final against Sinner, things took a different turn. The Italian player was unstoppable and prevented Djokovic from claiming his 100th career title by winning 7-6, 6-3 without facing any breakpoints. Djokovic later admitted he wasn’t feeling at his best during this match due to lingering physical issues from his previous game with Fritz.
Opinions and Reactions:
Adriano Panatta had some strong words about Djokovic’s performance in the second set of the final. He believed that after losing the first set, Djokovic seemed to give up entirely. Fans might wonder if this is true or just an off day for their favorite player.
| Name | Age | Points | Stats 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🇷🇸 Novak Djokovic | 37 | 8,360 | 18 - 6 |
Panatta expressed these thoughts openly despite acknowledging Djokovic’s incredible track record and mental toughness on the court. He said: “He played well for exactly one hour… then it was like he resigned himself.” Yet Panatta also shared that while he admires Djokovic’s achievements, his heart leans more towards Roger Federer.
On another note, Panatta praised Sinner for his outstanding form throughout 2024. He believes Sinner has reached a level where even when not playing at his best, he’s capable of defeating players ranked sixth or lower effortlessly.
Sinner’s consistency and high-level play have impressed many this year. According to Panatta: “When he plays well he doesn’t even lose with the first four.” It’s clear there’s something special about how Sinner competes these days.
So what do you think? Is there more to come from both these amazing players?
