Novak Djokovic breaks down in tears on Centre Court after agonising Wimbledon defeat as wife Jelena looks on
NOVAK DJOKOVIC broke down in tears on Centre Court after his agonising Wimbledon defeat.
The Serbian was beaten by Carlos Alvaraz in a five-set thriller.
His emotions got the better of him as he gave his post-match interview with the seven-time Wimbledon winner having to pause as he shed a tear.
Talking on Centre Court, he said: "Good afternoon to everyone - not so good for me but good for Carlos.
"I have to start with praises to Carlos and his team. What a quality at the end of the match when you had to serve it out.
"You can up with some big plays in the big situation and you absolutely deserve it. Amazing.
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"I thought I would have trouble with you only on clay and hard court, but not on grass but now it's a different story from this year obviously.
"Congrats, amazing way to adapt to the surface. You played maybe one or twice. Amazing, what you did in Queens and congratulations to everybody in your team.
"As for me, you never like to lose matches like these but I guess when all the emotions are settled I'll have to be very grateful.
"I won many tight and close matches in the past here, to name a few. 2019 against Roger. Maybe I should have lost a few finals that I won so maybe this is even stevens."
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Having received his runners-up trophy from Princess of Wales Kate Middleton, Djokovic was applauded by his wife Jelena and two of his children.
It was a wild match in which Djokovic struggled to keep his temper in check, with the 23-time Grand Slam winner smashing his racket against the net at one point.
However, he insisted he would be proud of reaching his fifth Wimbledon final in a row tomorrow morning.
Djokovic, who became emotional when addressing his boys, added: "I’ll be proud tomorrow morning probably. Today not so much. It is a tough one to swallow when you are so close.
“But again these are the moments that we work for every single today to be able to play in the biggest stages, the biggest courts, the most important tournaments in the world.
"I have been blessed with so many incredible matches throughout my career.
"So, this is just another one in the history books for me. I am really, really grateful even though, of course, I did not win.
";I lost to a better player and I have to congratulate him, and move on stronger hopefully.
"It’s nice to see my son still there, still smiling. I love you. Thank you for supporting me. I will give you a big hug and we can all love each other."
Wimbledon 2023 men's FINAL LIVE: All the action from Centre Court