Watch: Novak Djokovic smashes his racquets in frustration during ATP Finals 2023 clash against Holger Rune

The Serbian great went on to win the match in three sets.

Novak Djokovic faced a challenging battle against Holger Rune in the ATP Finals 2023 at the Pala Alpitour in Turin, Italy. Throughout the clash with the eighth-seeded player from Denmark, the Serbian superstar grappled with a moment of intense frustration, leading to an outburst that saw his racquets bear the brunt of his emotions.

Although Novak Djokovic emerged victorious in the Green Group contest against Holger Rune with a 7–6(7–4), 6–7(1–7), 6–3 scoreline, his response drew criticism for letting his emotions affect his game. The World No. 1 men’s player seemingly vented his frustration by visibly damaging his racquets after losing the second set to Rune, rendering them unusable.

While much discussion centers around Novak Djokovic’s on-court behavior, his exceptional performance warrants commendation. His win over Holger Rune, securing an eighth year-ending World No. 1 finish, solidifies his stature.

Regarded as one of the favorites in the prestigious ATP Finals 2023 in Italy, Djokovic unexpectedly found himself in a three-set contest in the opening game. The 36-year-old battled for three hours and four minutes to overcome Rune, a debutant in the year-ending ATP Finals.

Djokovic claimed the first set in a tie-breaker of 7-6 (7-4) but conceded the second in a similar tie-breaker at 6–7(1–7). However, in the decisive third set, Djokovic displayed exceptional skill, leveraging his experience to secure a 6-3 victory, channeling frustration into determined play.

After this tournament’s opening performance, it seems it will require a significant effort to prevent Novak Djokovic from claiming the trophy. Despite his loss, Holger Rune received praise for his valiant performance. While Djokovic faced criticism for the damaged racquets, some fans defended his actions as a display of passion, emphasizing the significance of every point to him.

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