Novak Djokovic turns 37 subsequent yr however the Serbian says his urge for food for achievement will solely improve with younger challengers awakening the “beast” in him.
The world primary loved a unprecedented 2023 by profitable three out of the 4 Grand Slams to take his tally to 24, two greater than his nice rival Rafael Nadal and 4 greater than the retired Roger Federer.
Djokovic didn’t have all of it his personal means, nevertheless, with 20-year-old Carlos Alcaraz denying him a fifth-straight Wimbledon crown in an exhilarating last and 22-year-old Jannik Sinner dashing his hopes of Davis Cup glory.
READ | Former champion Wozniacki handed Australian Open wildcard
“The younger guys who’re very hungry and really impressed to play their greatest tennis in opposition to me is an extra motivation,” Djokovic mentioned on CBS Information program “60 Minutes”.
“I feel they sort of awaken a beast in me.”
Djokovic beat Alcaraz in three of their 4 conferences this yr – together with the French Open semifinals the place the Spaniard suffered full-body cramps – however the Serb mentioned his younger rival had develop into an actual menace.
“He’s as an entire of a participant as I’ve seen in ages,” Djokovic mentioned, including that he used his defeat within the Wimbledon last as motivation for the US hardcourt swing, the place he received at Cincinnati and Flushing Meadows.
“It’s an awesome alternative for me to reinvent myself and actually push tougher than I ever did.”