So, Novak Djokovic faced a tough loss against Jannik Sinner at the ATP Finals in Turin. The match was intense, and the crowd was really into it, cheering for the local hero and booing Djokovic. It was a 7-5, 6-7(5), 7-6(2) victory for Sinner, marking his first win over Djokovic in their four head-to-head meetings. This also put an end to Djokovic’s 19-match winning streak, which dated back to his loss to Carlos Alcaraz in the Wimbledon final.
During the match, Djokovic’s behaviour drew criticism from former Italian player Adriano Panatta. Panatta expressed his disapproval of Djokovic’s actions, particularly his decision to take a bathroom break and call for the physio, which some fans saw as an attempt to disrupt Sinner’s momentum. Panatta highlighted Djokovic’s approach, stating that he disliked the attitude and compared it to the conduct of legendary players like Federer and Nadal. He emphasized that Sinner remained composed and unaffected by Djokovic’s tactics, ultimately securing the win.
This isn’t the first time Panatta has voiced his concerns about Djokovic. In the past, he has openly expressed his dislike for Djokovic and contrasted his behaviour with that of Federer and Nadal. Panatta’s comments have come in the wake of Djokovic’s controversies, including his vaccination status leading to a ban from the Australian Open and his disqualification from the 2020 US Open for hitting a line judge with the ball during a match against Pablo Carreno-Busta at Flushing Meadows.