“I Should Have Won” — Novak Djokovic Delivers Blunt Self-Verdict After Paris Masters Loss

Novak Djokovic entered Paris with much more than hopes of winning yet another title. Then, the universe quite literally conspired to clear his path. His closest competitors in the ATP race, Alex de Minaur, Frances Tiafoe, and Rafael Nadal, had all lost their matches at the La Défense Arena on Wednesday. Alexander Zverev and Daniil Medvedev were also out. Then, in the first set of the third round against world No. 83, Rinky Hijikata, all bets would’ve been on the Serb. Little did he know that the Australian qualifier who almost withdrew from the matchup would turn the tables.