Lorenzo Musetti has labeled Novak Djokovic’s return game ‘a joke’ following his defeat to the Serbian in the semi-finals of Wimbledon on Friday.
Musetti broke serve to put himself in with a chance in the first set, but Djokovic broke back immediately and it was one-way traffic from there
The seven-time Wimbledon winner clinched a 6-4 7-6 6-4 success and set up a clash with Carlos Alcaraz in the final. Despite the dominant scoreline, Musetti did not go down without a fight and the Italian ensured that the bout at SW19 was at least an entertaining spectacle.
Speaking after his defeat, Musetti heaped praise on Djokovic when asked about how he manages to bring the best out of his rival. “I think it’s a great matchup between the two sides, of course,” he said.
As I was saying to his team in the locker, I think we played, like, this was the seventh time that we were playing against each other, and I never faced a Nole like this, I think.
Today I was really impressed. Probably was our first meeting on grass, so I never faced him on grass. I have to say that. I think his tennis really fit very well on this surface.
Especially how he returns, it’s something like kind of a joke. I have to say today was really a joke at the end, how he was returning.”
Musetti went on to speak of how Djokovic deserved the victory and opportunity to play for his eighth title at Wimbledon.
He continued: “Of course, also in important points he was playing, especially on the second set, like at the end, I had let’s say most chances to break him, but he was serving really well. He deserved to win.
“I think the combination of the two games can bring every match a great intensity, great rallies, great fight from both players. So that’s why they’re always nice, let’s say, fights.”
Djokovic would be a popular winner within the locker room but he may not receive the warmest of applause if he is able to see off the challenge of Alcaraz after his rant at the crowd at SW19. The Serb hit back at the spectators following his win over Holger Rune as he felt that he was being booed, which has only sparked further heckles since.
