Novak Djokovic knows more than most people that when you spend your career getting to the top, staying at the top brings on a whole new set of issues. Mostly mental ones as the world top ranked tennis player can attest to.
Novak Djokovic says Grand Slam trophies and the No. 1 ranking are no longer his priorities.
The top-ranked Serb, who has won 12 major titles, said after a light training session in Belgrade on Friday that he felt emotionally drained after winning the French Open in June for his first Grand Slam on clay. He became only the third man to win all four major tournaments in a row, something last done almost 50 years ago.
“I psychologically felt huge pressure, and now I’m no longer thinking about the number of titles. If they come, super, I will accept them,” Djokovic said. “After all, tennis is not the only thing in the world.”
He had a poor midseason, losing early at Wimbledon and the Olympics, and was undone in the U.S. Open final. He has reportedly had physical and personal issues which reflected on his recent results.
Djokovic said he will “sit and talk” with his coach Boris Becker about their future cooperation. The German has helped Djokovic win seven Grand Slam titles.
“I’m happy with the cooperation … he helped me a lot,” Djokovic said.
He withdrew from the China Open next week because of an elbow injury. He said he expects to play at the Shanghai Masters from Oct. 10.
Djokovic said the “micro-injury” hampered his serve during the U.S. Open, where he was stopped in the final by Stanislas Wawrinka.
Novak Djokovic pulls out of China Open
Novak Djokovic says he has withdrawn from the China Open because of an elbow injury.
The defending champion says he is “extremely disappointed” to miss the tournament in Beijing, where he has won four consecutive titles and has 29 victories in a row.
The 29-year-old Djokovic says he “will continue with my rehabilitation and hope to be able to return to the ATP Tour as soon as possible.”
The U.S. Open finalist has had a poor midseason, losing at the Olympics and Wimbledon in the early stages. He has reportedly had physical and personal issues which reflected on his recent results.
Djokovic is next scheduled to play at the Shanghai Masters from Oct. 10.