Coric – who beat Roger Federer in the semi-finals – was taking part in his maiden Masters 1000 series final.
However, he ran into an unstoppable Djokovic, who wrapped up a straight-sets victory for his 18th win on the trot and his 72nd career title.
With only Alexander Zverev and Roger Federer winning more matches this season in the Masters 1000 events, Coric has come a long way.
And the Croat insists he will take a lot away from the loss to Djokovic.
“It was very good lesson today. I didn’t enjoy it as much, to be honest,” Coric said.
“But now when I look back on it, it’s a very good lesson.
“I think I can learn a lot from this match.
“I’m going to look at it when I have some time off.
“For sure I think he played really, really unbelievable tennis.
“So I’m going to try to learn something.
“And it’s like I said, I’m going to just take positives from this week.”
Coric also believes he was very much second best, adding: “He was the much better player on the court. I was playing good, really.
“I was really happy how I played.
“I couldn’t play much better today, to be honest.
“I could serve maybe a little bit better, but still, I felt even if I was serving little bit better, he’d still return my serves. So there is nothing I can do.
“It was really tough, I need to say. I just didn’t know what to do exactly.
“He was the much better player on the court today. There is no doubt about that.”