Novak Djokovic makes Jannik Sinner feelings perfectly clear with fresh statement

Novak Djokovic has responded to accusations he disrespected Jannik Sinner with a one-word description of the Italian ahead of the Australian Open

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Novak Djokovic has dismissed suggestions he disrespected Jannik Sinner with a one-word description of the Australian Open champion.

Both men are set for their first round matches in Melbourne, where Djokovic is chasing a record-extending 11th crown and a 25th Grand Slam title in total. Before the tournament, the 37-year-old was interviewed by GQ and was asked to take part in a word association game.

Asked to describe his fellow tennis legends and current top stars in one word, he said "elegance" for Roger Federer, "tenacity" for Rafael Nadal and "charisma" for Carlos Alcaraz "charisma".

But when it came to Sinner, Djokovic just said "skiing" which led to plenty of discussion among fans on social media, with some accusing him of disrespecting the Italian, who won two of the four Grand Slams last year.

However, Djokovic has dismissed those claims ahead of his tournament opener against Nishesh Basavareddy on Monday. He said the label merely related to their shared passion of skiing, with the pair even discussing taking a trip down the slopes together.

"Yes, I've seen it on social media that it's being made into some kind of drama or a story, like I humiliated him or I've intentionally shown disrespect toward him,” said Djokovic, speaking in Serbian.

“That's ridiculous. It was one of those quiz type of interviews where you have to think of something in a second. Sinner's name came up and I had this image in my head of him skiing, because I saw he was skiing somewhere.

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“Also, the two of us talk about skiing always, how we're going to ski together, etc. That's why I said 'skiing', not because I don't respect his achievements in tennis, on the contrary."

Djokovic went on to praise Sinner, saying: “It is as clear as day that the way he is dominating is worthy of every praise – both his playing style and the level of play.

"He's got all the attributes I've mentioned in others [Federer, Nadal, Alcaraz], and now people make it seem like I am disrespecting him. Rubbish."

Sinner, 23, starts his Australian Open challenge against Chilean Nicholas Jarry on Monday.