Novak Djokovic’s speech in full with retirement hint and Nadal message | Tennis | Sport
Djokovic received two walkovers after Jakub Mensik and Lorenzo Musetti pulled out of their ties against the 24-time Grand Slam winner. The veteran looked to be headed for an Australian Open exit at the quarter-final stage to Musetti but with the Italian two sets up, he was forced to retire. Djokovic then ended Jannik Sinner‘s defence in the semi-final during a mammoth five-set showdown with the world number two.
Speaking after the defeat at the Rod Laver Arena, Djokovic admitted that he didn’t expect to be standing at a closing ceremony again following his 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5 defeat. He said: “Thank you very much, first and foremost congratulations to Carlos, amazing tournament, amazing couple of weeks, what you have been doing is the best word to describe it is historic. Congratulations, I wish you the best of kuck for the rest of your career, you have a lot of time ahead of you like myself, I’m sure we’ll be seeing each other over the next 10 years… not!
“I want to speak to the legendary Rafa, who is in the stands. Just a few words, it feels weird seeing you there and not here, I just want to say it’s been an honour to share the court and have you watch, it’s a strange feeling but thank you for being present. There’s too many Spanish legends here tonight, it felt two against one.
“I had a winning speech and a losing speech prepared, let me go back to it one second. I want to keep it short, this is Carlos’ moment, you guys gave me something I haven’t had in Australia before, support, positivity, I tried to give you back good tennis, this is my 21st, 22nd year, honestly, I always believe in myself, it’s something that is truly needed and neccessary to play at this level to play against Carlos and Jannik [Sinner].
“I have to be honest but I didn’t think I would be standing at a closing ceremony again, I have to give you gratitude for pushing me in the last few weeks and god knows what tomorrow, let alone in six or 12 months. It has been a great ride, I love you guys.”
Alcaraz’s comeback win meant that he became the first player to complete the career slam since the Serbian, when he beat Andy Murray in 2016 at Roland Garros. With Nadal in attendance, the 22-year-old broke the iconic left-hander’s record as youngest player in the Open era to complete the Career Slam, aged 22 years and 258 days, since Rafa did so aged 24 and 88 days when he overcame Djokovic in New York at the US Open.
Grass court fans will be hoping to see Djokovic return to Wimbledon at the end of June. The 38-year-old saw his quest for a 25th Slam come to an end at the semi-final stage to Sinner last July at SW19. Despite the defeat, he dismissed the prospects of packing away his racquet as he bids to return to Centre Court.
“I would be sad [if it was his last Centre Court appearance] but hopefully it’s not my last match on Centre Court. I’m not planning to finish my Wimbledon career today. I’m planning to come back definitely at least one more time, play on Centre Court for sure.”
