Filip Krajinovic and Novak Djokovic are part of the Serbian national team for the Davis Cup finals. Serbia has reached the semi-final to be just two victories from their second trophy in this competition.
Novak and Filip have been friends for years, and the 20-time Grand Slam champion often trains with his young compatriot, in Belgrade or even during tournaments. In a recent interview, Filip revealed that he had to cancel his flight at the last minute last June when Novak invited him to celebrate his Roland Garros crown with other players and friends.
Djokovic won his 19th major trophy in Paris, overcoming all obstacles to receive his first Parisian crown in five years and the second in his career. After beating Lorenz Musetti by 3 sets to zero, Novak toppled 13-time French tournament champion Rafael Nadal by 3-6, 6-3, 7-6, 6-2 in the semi-final match, after four hours and 11 minutes of confrontation.
Filip Krajinovic spoke about Novak Djokovic’s appeal in June
Despite losing his previous five clay court matches to Rafa, Novak was determined to beat the clay king on his beloved Paris court in order to advance to a sixth Roland Garros final.
Djokovic went out of his way to cross the finish line first, hitting 50 winners and overpowering Rafa in the shortest and most extended rally to secure what is his biggest victory to date in Paris.
Novak was down 5-0 in the first set before he found the right rhythm, pushed back his rival’s break chances in the second set, and saved a set point in the third before winning the fourth.
Novak had to work just as hard in the final against Stefanos Tsitsipas, before taking the victory by 6-7, 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4, after four hours and 11 minutes, to clinch his second slam for the 2021 season.
It was a heartbreaking defeat for Tsitsipas, who missed a chance to become the youngest Roland Garros winner since Rafael Nadal in 2008. “I canceled a flight at the last minute in June because Novak Djokovic called me. to tell me that he was going to do something to celebrate his victory at Roland Garros.
I had to go to Montenegro, then at the last minute I canceled and went to see him, “Filip Krajinovic said.
