“Someone Save Filip”: Tennis Fans React as Filip Krajinovic Copies Novak Djokovic’s Celebration at Paris Masters

A packed center court crowd at the on-going Paris Masters event would mean that the tournament’s five-time champion Novak Djokovic is present. The Serbian, who decided to play the doubles event as well, teamed up with compatriot Filip Krajinovic to face the all-Aussie pairing of Alex de Minaur and Luke Saville.

Having not played any tournament since the US Open final, Djokovic made a slow start as the Serbian duo lost their opening service game to give de Minaur- Saville an edgy lead of 2-0.

This solo break of serve was enough for the Australian pair as they backed themselves to produce quality tennis and outperformed their Serbian opponents.

Novak Djokovic teamed up with Filip Krajinovic to outlast Alex de Minaur & Luke Saville at Rolex Paris Masters

Even though Djokovic-Krajinovic managed to keep it tight on return games, both de Minaur and Saville were determined enough to bounce back with diverse shot-making. Also, the fact that the Serbs made more errors throughout the first set helped the Australians as they sealed the first set, 6-4.

Watch this story: Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams Lead the List of Most-Followed Tennis Players on Instagram

The first set was a margin of few errors as the Serbs appeared a bit shaky than their Australian opponents. Coming to the next set, it was an all-balanced affair between the two teams as neither one yielded control to the other and kept it tight till the tenth game.

Serving to stay in the set at 4-5 in the second, Luke Saville faced immense pressure on serve as Djokovic notched up his return game at the right moment and kept more balls in play than before. Also, the crowd began to cheer for the Serbian pair as they wanted the match to down the wire.

Matching their expectations, the world no.1 hit an impossible forehand return winner on Saville’s second serve to win the second set, 6-4. The Serbian pair continued the same momentum in the match tie-break and surpassed the Australian pairing of Alex de Minaur and Luke Saville, 4-6,6-4, 10-7.

Fans sympathize with Krajinovic as he fails in copying the typical Novak Djokovic celebration

Post the victory, the world no.1 did his usual heart-throwing celebration as Krajinovic accompanied him for the same. Filip, on the other hand, was trying his best to imitate his friend but couldn’t pull it off.

Fans were quick to identify the same as they felt sorry for Krajinovic for not being able to emulate Djokovic’s celebration.

A Novak fan wrote, “Lolll..Krajinovic needs to practice it more” 

Another tennis fan commented, “Someone save Filip”. 

In yet another response of sympathy for Krajinovic’s confused imitation of Novak, a fan wrote, “Just look at Filip”. 

A Djokovic fan found Krajinov’c imitation ‘cute’ as he commented, ““. 

In the round of 16 at Paris Masters 2021, Djokovic-Krajinovic will face Filip Polasek of Slovakia and the Australian doubles star, John Peers.

Also read: “Other Players Will Come In”: Former World No. 2 Claims Novak Djokovic’s Form Will Plummet in Coming Years