Novak Djokovic’s 2023 season is considered to be the best of his till date. The 36-year-old player broke or extended a total of 14 records, he is the GOAT of the game. Djokovic now has two more major singles titles than his long-time rival Rafael Nadal and four more than Roger Federer. Next month he will play Australian Open which he won 10 times. Recently, he gave an interview to CBS News where he talked about his passion, fitness, and mental health.
When asked about beating players who are closer to his child’s age he answered that the young generation’s challenge gives him motivation to push further.
An extra motivation in his opinion, comes from the young men who are eager and motivated to compete against him at their best in tennis. They seem to unleash a beast within him.
Djokovic is making records now; he is no longer chasing them. In 2008, he had the obstinate habit of winning major trophies and it’s continued endlessly. He claims that although he may not be as quick as he once was, he is wiser and more accurate. He has played in half of the 24 events since turning 30, the most recent being the U.S. Open in September of last year.
When the interviewer asked about his mental strength which is his great gift, which is much harder to articulate. He interrupted and said it was wrong to call it a gift. His mental strength is not a gift. It’s something that comes with work.
He mentioned various techniques. Breathing consciously plays a significant role, particularly during times of pressure. Indeed, he said, “You know, you have your fears and doubts. Every single match, I sense it. This kind of mentality, which I see a lot in sports, bothers me. Think happy ideas, that’s what I mean. Have hope. Failure is not an option. It is not appropriate to have doubts or anything similar.”
Talking about Nadal he said, I had his locker next to mine when I was playing Rafael Nadal at Roland Garros, right? Thus, we are really near. And we’re making an effort to give each other room. However, the changing area is likewise somewhat small. Beside you in the changing room, he is running. Even the music he’s listening to through his headphones is noticeable to me. You know, it’s getting on my nerves.
Djokovic discovered more widespread controversy at the beginning of 2022. He received a vaccination exemption, allowing him to compete in the Australian Open at a time when the nation was emerging from a protracted COVID-19 lockdown. However, Djokovic refused and was deported in response to public protest, which made headlines throughout the world. He said, “I was basically declared as a villain of the world.”
He refused to take the vaccine and called it an individual choice but people didn’t like the exceptionalism. But did what he wanted and eventually soaked the pressure.
There is no doubt that Novak Djokovic is one of the greatest players of the game if not the best but what is a more admirable trait of him is his mental strength. He stays calm on and off the court and plays it according to his own rules. The best lesson we can extract from the interview is to consciously practice controlling emotions and increase mental strength.