By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Monday December 11 2023
Novak Djokovic opened up on a variety of tops in an interview with Jon Wertheim on 60 minutes, the Serb dishing on the whole lot from his emotions about Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal within the youth of his profession, to the inspiration that he takes from preserving the youthful era below his thumb.
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On his younger rivals, Djokovic mentioned: “It’s an incredible alternative for me to reinvent myself and actually push more durable than I ever did. I feel the younger guys who’re very hungry and really impressed to play their finest tennis in opposition to me is an extra motivation. I feel they sort of awaken a beast in me.”
Djokovic admitted that dropping to Alcaraz in a five-set last at Wimbledon, the place he was bidding to tie Roger Federer on the all-time title listing at SW19 with eight, left a bitter style in his mouth. However he shortly remedied it.
“That pissed me off a lot that I wanted to win the whole lot on American soil, which I did,” Djokovic advised Wertheim.
Djokovic want to be near Federer and Nadal
In a section that didn’t air on the present, Djokovic talked about his rivals Federer and Nadal, and described his need to have an in depth, enduring relationship with each when his profession is over.
“I want to. I would like to,” Djokovic mentioned about growing a extra pleasant relationship with Roger and Rafa, earlier than explaining why now shouldn’t be the time to try this. “Personally, I want to. I do know that clearly we didn’t get alongside so nicely all through our careers. And we’re not mates as a result of we’re rivals and it’s troublesome as rivals to be very shut and sort of share and provides insights to , to your life or to how you’re feeling as a result of it might be used in opposition to you.”
Djokovic additionally mirrored on how he felt intimidated by Nadal and Federer in the course of the early years of their rivalries. He recollects watching Nadal dash across the locker Room at Roland-Garros and being irritated by it.
“I [could] even hear the music he is listening to, , in his headphones,” Djokovic mentioned. “So, , it [was] pissing me off.”
The 24-time main champion says he used it as motivation in the long run.
“Early in my profession, I did not notice how all that is a part of the state of affairs, proper? So I used to be getting intimidated by that,” Djokovic mentioned. “Nevertheless it’s additionally motivating me to do stuff myself and to indicate that I am prepared, ? I am prepared for a battle, for a warfare.
Djokovic: ‘I do not like this sort of mindset that I see loads in sports activities: simply suppose constructive, be optimistic, there isn’t any room for failure & doubts… You’re a human being. [What makes] the most important champions is the power to not keep in these feelings for too lengthy’
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— Bastien Fachan (@BastienFachan) December 11, 2023
The Secret to Djokovic’s Psychological Power? Observe!
Djokovic corrected Wertheim when he was advised that one in all his biggest presents was his psychological power. “It is not a present,” he mentioned. “It is one thing that comes with work.”
Djokovic says that his capability to depart pressure behind him has helped him cope with the stress that comes with preventing for the sports activities’ largest titles frequently. He practices letting his pressure go and reclaiming his stability on court docket.
“The distinction, I suppose, between the fellows who’re in a position to be the most important champions, and those which might be struggling to get to the very best degree is the power to not keep in these feelings for too lengthy,” Djokovic mentioned. “So for me, it is actually comparatively brief. In order quickly as I expertise it, I acknowledge it. I perhaps, , burst. I scream on the court docket, no matter occurs. However then I can bounce again and reset.”