A demanding Djokovic tests himself against Tsitsipas

You have to tell me exactly how I have to do it”, repeated a demanding and grumpy Novak Djokovic a su preparador físico, Marco Panichi, at the end of the training that the Serbian shared with Felix Auger-Aliassime last Saturday. The Canadian had slipped him several direct serves and other services that he could not return properly during the match they played. Djokovic asked the Italian about the ideal position of the feet when subtracting. Meanwhile, Goran Ivanisevic, coach of the Balkan, watched from afar, without opening his mouth. And the physio, Ulises Badio, recorded the remains of the Balkan with his mobile on the central court of the Pala Alpitour. Angry, he went to the locker room without greeting Nadal, who was coming in to rally with Rublev.

And it is that Panichi’s instructions did not convince Nole, who this Sunday trained with Holger Rune, his executioner in the final of the Masters 1,000 in Paris, who He is in Turin as the first reserve of the Finals and luxury sparring partner. Another good server. Djokovic, a perfectionist like Nadal and Federer, recently retired, responded better than the day before. That, among other things, is what made the Big Three so great.

“It is the last week of the year on the circuit, a kind of last sprint, so to speak, for all of us. From the first game you are going to have an extra high intensity, so each one of us is trying to prepare as well as possible, but also to enjoy these days before the tournament starts”the 21-time Grand Slam winner told the ATP on media day.

Complicated rival to start

On Monday (9:00 p.m., Sports on M+), Djokovic opens at the 2022 ATP Finals against an opponent who put a lot of pressure on him two weeks ago in Paris, Tsitsipas. In the Red Group, that of death by the category of the tennis players that make it up. “I know that a difficult game awaits me, but I am motivated and eager”, warned Novak. Before, at 2:00 p.m., Russian derby between Medvedev and Rublev.