Mathieu Warnier, Media365: published on Saturday September 14, 2024 at 6:30 p.m.
On the sidelines of the Davis Cup play-off match against Greece, Novak Djokovic spoke to his country’s public television. He notably returned to what motivates him after such a long and successful career.
Novak Djokovic has now achieved everything. Holder of the record for victories in Grand Slam tournaments, the Serbian won the last title missing from his list of achievements on August 4, that of Olympic champion after a final against Carlos Alcaraz on the clay of Court Philippe-Chatrier. This he readily presents as “the greatest success” of his career. “The most important thing is that I represented Serbia at the biggest event in the world,” he added in an interview with Serbian public television. “It’s a rare opportunity to win a medal for your country.” Asked about the pressure that can be his, Novak Djokovic assures that it is “always there” but that has changed in recent years due to his age. “I have to be more selective in choosing the tournaments where I want to reach my best level,” he said. The Olympic Games were the goal this year. » Not hiding the fact that he was “a little disturbed” by the injury suffered during Roland-Garros, Novak Djokovic assures that his performance on the London grass has changed everything.
Djokovic admits two sources of motivation
“The Wimbledon final was a sign that I was going to be ready for the Olympics,” he said. “Before the final at the Olympics, I beat Rafael Nadal on Centre Court, that was an indication that I was in shape.” Asked what still motivates him at 37, the Belgrade native did not rule out the idea that sources of motivation are becoming fewer and fewer. While he will represent Serbia again this weekend in a play-off match against Greece, the world number 4 clarified his position. “I have said it many times: my greatest motivation is to play for the national team and to participate in the Grand Slam tournaments,” he said. “Everything else motivates me much less and serves as preparation.” And if he had to designate the title that will remain in his memory, Novak Djokovic did not fail to mention what will have marked him the most. “If I had to name one tournament, Wimbledon is my favourite, even though I have slightly better results at the Australian Open,” said the Serb. “In 2011, I won my first title there against Rafael Nadal, but I must say that my favourite title is still my first US Open against Roger Federer. He was very aggressive and played the best tennis. In that match, if I stayed calm, that’s what made the difference.”
