Novak Djokovic admits to feeling bit tired after Abu Dhabi exhibition final
Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic admitted to feeling tired after the Mubadala World Tennis Championship final.
Djokovic, 31, edged out world No. 6 Kevin Anderson in a tight final 4-6 7-5 7-5 to win the Abu Dhabi exhibition title.
South-African Anderson broke the world No. 1 in the ninth game of the first set and then had no problems serving out for the opener in the following game.
The Serb failed to convert a break point in the fourth game of the second set but converted his second break point -- which at the same time was his first set point -- in the 12th game to force a decider.
Djokovic saved a break point in the third game of the third set but also blew three match points in the 10th game.
However, Djokovic managed to break Anderson in the 12th game as he converted his fifth match point to win his fifth Abu Dhabi title.
"I'm a bit tired. Great match but we weren't expecting to play two hours and 30 minutes just before the start of the year," Djokovic said post-match, per Jose Morgado.
Djokovic is set to officially open his 2019 campaign at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open.
No. 1 seed Djokovic is due to open his Doha campaign against Bosnian Damir Dzumhur.
Djokovic won back-to-back Doha titles in 2016 and 2017 but didn't play at the tournament in 2018.
Meanwhile, No. 1 seed Anderson will have a first-round bye at the Tata Open Maharashtra in Pune.
Also read: Mubadala WTC: Novak Djokovic edges Kevin Anderson for historic title
from Tennis World USA http://bit.ly/2EWRmzm
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