Dennis Novak narrowly failed in the final at the ATP Challenger tournament in Bad Waltersdorf despite a high lead. But Novak assessed the entire week positively.

von tennisnet.com
last edited: September 25, 2023, 4:51 p.m

© GEPA Pictures

Dennis Novak had led 6:1 and 4:0 in the final of the ATP Challenger tournament in Bad Waltersdorf against the Italian Andrea Pellegrino, which looked like a clear affair for the Austrian Davis Cup player, who had been on the previous Monday Was able to win the semi-final against the Czech Vit Kopriva. Novak and Kopriva had to end their meeting on Sunday due to darkness with the set tied, and the local hero had already fended off five match points at that point.

So Novak went into the game against Pellegrino with “House Money”; he actually had nothing left to lose. It really hurt Novak that it didn’t work out after the big lead. “I started to think a little bit because I haven’t been in a situation like that for a long time,” Novak explained after the match. “I got a little nervous, had a brief drop in energy, hit a few first serves. He made good use of that.”

Overall, Novak was happy with the week in Bad Waltersdorf

“Something like that happens,” Novak continued. “Yesterday I shot it, today I gave it away. I’m a little sad about the tiebreak because there were one or two balls that I had to finish better. At the moment, disappointment predominates.” But Novak wasn’t in the mood to congratulate his conqueror. “He simply played better in the third set.”

Of course, Dennis Novak doesn’t leave Bad Waltersdorf completely dissatisfied. “You can see that the level on the Challengers is really good. You have to be there until the end. I did that yesterday and today too. I’m also proud that I played five good matches in a row. That also gives me a lot of self-confidence.”

Overall, the premiere of the tournament went excellently. Not just for Dennis Novak. “I felt very, very comfortable. And the other players too. There is very, very little to complain about. And I think it will be even better next year.”

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