{"id":297615,"date":"2023-11-20T11:39:17","date_gmt":"2023-11-20T11:39:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tellmysport.com\/?p=297615"},"modified":"2023-11-20T11:39:17","modified_gmt":"2023-11-20T11:39:17","slug":"novak-djokovic-labelled-a-thirsty-cannibal-after-triumph-over-jannik-sinner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tellmysport.com\/tennis\/novak-djokovic-labelled-a-thirsty-cannibal-after-triumph-over-jannik-sinner\/","title":{"rendered":"Novak Djokovic labelled a ‘thirsty cannibal’ after triumph over Jannik Sinner"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Novak Djokovic has been dubbed a \u2018thirsty cannibal\u2019 by the Italian media after defeating Jannik Sinner to win the ATP Finals on Sunday. The World No 1 won the tournament for a record seventh time by defeating the Italian starlet in straight sets.<\/p>\n

His triumph in Turin helped Djokovic cap a remarkable year. The 36-year-old won three of the four Grand Slams and finished as the runner-up in a fourth major at Wimbledon.<\/p>\n

The Italian media has pointed out that Sinner would have avoided Djokovic had he failed to beat Holger Rune in the group stage. The 22-year-old sensationally beat Djokovic, and the Serb would have gone out of the tournament if Sinner then lost to Rune.<\/p>\n

However, despite appearing to struggle with a back injury against Rune, Sinner went on to defeat the 20-year-old, meaning Djokovic stayed in the tournament.<\/p>\n

Italian publication Gazzetta hailed Djokovic as a \u2018thirsty cannibal\u2019 and pointed out that he was never going to lose against Sinner again. Djokovic has never lost against the same opponent twice at the ATP Finals.<\/p>\n

READ MORE: <\/strong> Novak Djokovic names which stars will replace him, Nadal and Federer[LATEST] <\/strong><\/p>\n

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They instead appear to criticise Sinner for naivety in not giving in to Rune despite his back issues. The newspaper uses a line to reinforce the fact that elite athletes will not allow anything to get in the way of success, but here it was perhaps to Sinner\u2019s detriment.<\/p>\n

Djokovic ultimately went on to beat Sinner to cap off an incredible year, winning 6-3 6-3. There is now little that the year-end No 1 has not achieved in his career, but he is targeting a first Olympic gold in Paris ahead of 2024.<\/p>\n

Asked what his ambitions are for next year, Djokovic said: “Well, you can win four Slams and Olympic gold.”<\/p>\n

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