Tennis world reacts to emotional Davis Cup response

Serbia was crushed to lose in such nailbiting fashion. Photo /Twitter

The tennis world was touched by a moving press conference as several Serbian players broke down in tears after the country was knocked out of the Davis Cup by Russia today.

Novak Djokovic and Co. are out of the tournament after a nailbiting 2-1 loss in the quarter-finals that saw the deciding doubles rubber go down to the wire.

Djokovic levelled the tie with an impressive 6-3 6-3 victory over Karen Khachanov in the second singles rubber after Andrey Rublev had thumped Filip Krajinovic 6-1 6-2.

With the tie coming down to doubles, Djokovic was subbed in to partner Viktor Troicki against Khachanov and Rublev, but it was the Russians who came out on top 6-4 4-6 7-6 (10-8).

Serbia had three match points but could not take any of them, with Troicki scooping a horrible volley long on the third one, and Russia made it pay to reach the last four for the first time since 2008.

A distraught Troicki, who won the deciding rubber in the 2010 final, blamed himself, saying: "I probably feel the worst ever.

"I never experienced such a moment in my career, in my life. And I let my team down, and I apologise to them.

"We had chances to finish it. We didn't do it. I messed up in the crucial moments."

Djokovic added: "It hurts really badly.

"These kinds of matches happen once in maybe forever. That's it. The season is done and we're turning the next page."

Serbian captain Nenad Zimonjic was also overcome with emotion, struggling to get the words out when he fronted reporters as the players sat beside him, some burying their faces in their hands.

Troicki couldn't look up and Krajinovic was in tears as Zimonjic reflected on why the result was so devastating, paying tribute to the retiring Janko Tipsarevic as he looked back at the sad way Serbia's "golden generation" was knocked out.

Zimonjic had to stop speaking to on several occasions to regather himself as the enormity of the situation sunk in.

"The main thing is that everybody here did their part, you know, not just now, but during their career," he said. "And that's all you can say, you know. It was very emotional because it's Janko's last … sorry.

"Sorry, it's not because here winning or losing, just for you to understand …

"I see it as an end because it's Janko's last match."

The press pack applauded and tennis scribes were struck by the raw emotion on show.

Grab the tissues, this is an emotional one to watch 😢

Hear from @nenadzim after Serbia's loss, describing his team as "The Golden Generation"

Thank you, Team Serbia 🇷🇸#DavisCupMadridFinals pic.twitter.com/jlHhxqTFht

— Davis Cup by Rakuten Madrid Finals (@DavisCupFinals) November 22, 2019

Memorable emotional, tear-filled press conference for Djokovic, Troicki & the Serbian team after their elimination. They wanted to go out with a victory for the retiring Tipsarevic. Didn't happen. No desire to hide the disappointment. Open and touching.

— Christopher Clarey 🇺🇸 🇫🇷 🇪🇸 (@christophclarey) November 22, 2019

Russia will face Canada in the semi-finals after the North Americans defeated Australia 2-1 on Friday.

Khachanov and Rublev, who have played all the rubbers between them this tournament in the absence of US Open finalist Daniil Medvedev, fell to the court in an embrace at the moment of victory after beating the Serbs.

"Both teams had a lot of chances," said Rublev. "It was like a coin toss, and we won this coin toss."