{
“placeholderType”: “BANNER”
}
That’s why Djokovic wanted to quit
Novak Djokovic has long been one of the best tennis players in history. With 24 Grand Slam titles, he even surpasses Rafael Nadel and Roger Federer – but everything could have turned out differently.
Novak Djokovic thought about ending his career early in 2018
© Imago
Novak Djokovic was close to the end of his career in 2018. “I played the worst tennis I’ve ever played. I felt miserable on the court and thought: This is the right moment to stop,” Djokovic revealed at the Upfront Summit event in Los Angeles.
{
“placeholderType”: “MREC”
}
A persistent elbow injury caused the Serb great difficulty at the time, so much so that he had to end the 2017 season prematurely. Nevertheless, Djokovic wanted to avoid surgery for a long time “at all costs,” he recalled. It ultimately took until January 2018 for the Grand Slam record winner to change his mind.
“I was always against pills and painkillers, but at some point I couldn’t do it anymore. The pain became too great,” said Djokovic, who slipped into a deep form crisis after the operation. “I lost to players I had never lost to before. I was playing damn bad tennis and was ready to quit.”
{
“placeholderType”: “MREC”
}
Djokovic: “Physically not in a good mood and mentally tired”
Djokovic then gathered his team and spoke plainly: “I told them that I was starting to distance myself from professional tennis and that it was time for the next chapter. I wasn’t in a good mood physically and mentally tired.”
In the end, the 36-year-old managed to “quickly turn the corner with the help of my team” and prevail against all odds. A decision that was absolutely right. Djokovic has now collected 24 Grand Slam titles, even more than Rafael Nadel or Roger Federer.
2024-03-31 15:30:01
#Tennis #felt #miserable #Djokovic #wanted #quit
