No-stress Novak: Qualifying drama of no interest to Serb

An irritated Novak Djokovic on Thursday refused to get emotionally involved in the ATP Finals group match which will decide his semi-final fate.

The 36-year-old beat tournament substitute Hubert Hurkacz 7-6 (1), 4-6, 6-1 in his final Green group match but must now wait for the result of a night clash between already qualified Italian Jannik Sinner and Holger Rune.

A Rune win would knock Djokovic out, while a Sinner victory would see him through to the weekend final four.

Novak apparently just doesn’t give a damn: “I will not be his (Sinner’s) fan. If he wins, I’ll qualify,” he said post-match.

“If he doesn’t, I’ll still finish the season with a win and look to Davis Cup (next week in Spain) – that’s all I feel now.

“I was focused to win the match, so I did. The outcome of tonight’s match is not in my hands,

“I’m really not thinking about it. I’m just thinking about hugging my kids at the moment.

“I probably won’t see the match. Just follow the score.”

The year-end world No. 1 with a record 24 Grand Slam titles is playing just for glory in the twilight of his career as the Big 3 concept (Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and himself) fades away after a two-decade run.

Djokovic admitted that his mind has moved on to next week’s Davis event where he will play for Serbia.

“The season is not finished yet. Obviously I still don’t know if I’m going to be qualified here. But Davis Cup is next week. 

“I really would like to win the Davis Cup with Serbia. That’s a goal. 

“Next week is an important week for us, for our nation. We’ll do our best. 

“That’s where my thoughts are, then I’ll think about the next season.”

The veteran called the Sinner-Rune match between young 20-somethings “an interesting matchup.”

“They are same generation, more or less. That’s the kind of rivalries we’re going to see in the future. I’m sure they don’t want to lose against each other in any event, particularly this big.”