Throughout his look on CBS’ 60 MINUTES on Sunday night, Novak Djokovic made clear that the rising stars of the game are retaining him on his toes aged 36.
“I believe the younger guys who’re very hungry and really impressed to play their finest tennis towards me is an extra motivation,” Djokovic informed reporter Jon Wertheim. “I believe they sort of awaken a beast in me.”
That was evident earlier this 12 months when he misplaced a heartbreaking Wimbledon ultimate towards Carlos Alcaraz. The Spanish star has rapidly turn into an enormous rival for Djokovic, who used that defeat as a supply of power for the remainder of the season.
“Sure, completely, it was,” Djokovic stated. “That pissed me off a lot that I wanted to win all the pieces on American soil, which I did.”
The Serbian laughed as he made that remark. However his emotions confirmed in his response to the loss on the court docket. In Cincinnati, Djokovic refused to lose to Alcaraz, saving a championship level en path to successful the longest best-of-three-set ultimate in ATP Tour historical past (three hours, 49 minutes). He went on to win the US Open, the Rolex Paris Masters and the Nitto ATP Finals.
The 98-time tour-level titlist additionally offered perception into the psychological aspect of the game and the way intently he pays consideration to all the pieces his opponent does, not simply throughout factors.
“Regardless that there isn’t any bodily contact in tennis, there’s nonetheless loads of eye contact,” Djokovic stated. “Once we are altering ends, once we’re sitting on the bench, after which the large display reveals him how he drinks his water. After which I am him. How is he ingesting water? Is he sweating greater than standard?
“Is he respiratory deeply or not deeply? After which I look how he is speaking along with his staff. You’ve gotten all these totally different components which might be in play that basically have an effect on the efficiency and the sport itself.”
‘He is Like No Different Athlete’: 60 MINUTES Profiles Novak Djokovic
Djokovic stated that his psychological recreation shouldn’t be a present, however a craft he repeatedly works on. Regardless of how calm he seems to be underneath stress, the World No. 1 within the Pepperstone ATP Rankings defined that’s not at all times the case.
“I would seem possibly locked in,” Djokovic stated. “However belief me, there’s a storm inside. And the largest at all times battle is inside, proper?”
Djokovic added: “You’re a human being. The distinction, I assume, between the fellows who’re capable of be largest champions, and those which might be struggling to get to the very best stage is the power to not keep in these feelings for too lengthy. So, for me, it is actually comparatively quick. In order quickly as I expertise it, I acknowledge it. I possibly, , burst. I scream on the court docket, no matter occurs. However then I will bounce again and reset.”
