Defeated Djoko drops no hint of giving up the game

Novak Djokovic looks set to plough on after his Sunday Australian Open final loss to Carlos Alcaraz, with the 38-year-old Serb ready to put his 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5 defeat in the archives.

The 24-time Grand Slam champion was unable to get over the line for an all-time record 25th trophy at a major while his winning opponent completed the feat of lifting trophies at all four of the Grand Slams.

Djokovic admitted he let himself down mid-match after a blistering start but said he is far from losing his enthusiasm and self-belief.

But the winner in the semi-finals over Jannik Sinner in more than four hours admitted: “I always believe in myself, that is truly needed when playing at this level.

“But I didn’t think that I would be standing in the closing ceremony of a Grand Slam once again.

‘The crowd pushed me forward these last couple of weeks.

“God knows what happens tomorrow – let alone in six or 12 months. It’s been a great ride,”

The veteran with 10 titles in Melbourne who lost his first final here as he faced Alcaraz, said he regrets a mid-match lapse.

“I remain disappointed with the way I felt in second and third after an incredible start (6-2 opening set) , and I felt great about myself and then..things changed

“It is what it is. That’s sport, but of course, when you make an assessment of what happened last couple of weeks, it’s an incredible achievement for me to be able to play finals, be a couple of sets away maybe to win a championship.

“Of course, after a loss, it’s a bitter feeling, but nevertheless, I have to be content with this result.”