'Obviously hurt': Novak Djokovic's 'classy' nod to Roger Federer after Australian Open win
Defending champion Novak Djokovic paid tribute to his opponent Roger Federer after he powered through to his eighth Australian Open final in straight-sets.
The world No.2 started slowly against the 20-time major winner, trailing 2-5 in the first set, but Djokovic recovered to win 7-6 (7-1), 6-4, 6-3 on Rod Laver Arena in the pair's 50th career meeting.
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Federer entered their semi-final under an injury cloud on Thursday following his epic victory over Tennys Sandgren, but despite hanging in bravely, the 38-year-old was no match for the Serbian star.
Djokovic was all class in his post-match speech, giving credit to Federer for giving his all despite clearly carrying an injury from the last gruelling five-set match.
"Respect to Roger for coming out tonight, he was obviously hurt and wasn't at his best,” he said to Jim Courier.
"I managed to dig my way through and it was important that I won the first set mentally and I was able to relax a little bit after that."
With the Swiss master on the verge of taking surprise one set lead, Djokovic stepped up a gear to silence the pro-Federer crowd with a scintillating tiebreak masterclass.
Can’t say I’m the biggest fan of @DjokerNole at all, has never really grew on me.. but that is a classy response from him about @rogerfederer knowing that he wasn’t 100% but came out to fight .. credit where credits due. Good man
— Thomas campbell (@Teecee2004) January 30, 2020
Huge moment by @DjokerNole to acknowledge that @rogerfederer is obviously hurt and most wouldn’t even show up to play.
— Hunter Hart Lightner (@HunterLightner) January 30, 2020
This is what is fantastic about @DjokerNole as a human being respecting the fact RF wasn’t 100% and still came out to play the match this is the right attitude to have and what a amazing role model he is honest clean heart speaks the truth and is frank to the point 💕 #Nolefam
— Rika 🐊 (@No1likeNole) January 30, 2020
Djokovic’s Aus Open final record
After the first set went for more than an hour, the rest of the match only took another 76 minutes.
"It could've definitely gone a different way if he (Federer) got those break points (in the first set)," Djokovic said.
"He started off really well, I was pretty nervous at the beginning.”
In an ominous sign for Austrian Dominic Thiem or German Alexander Zverev, Djokovic has won all seven of his previous finals at Melbourne Park.
A record-breaking eighth Australian Open crown will take Djokovic to 17 major titles, well in sight of Federer on 20 and Rafael Nadal with 19.
It will be the 32-year-old's 26th grand slam decider.
Thiem and Zverev will clash in the other semi-final on Friday night.
With AAP
