Novak Djokovic says young, hungry players drive him to keep improving
Novak Djokovic has credited the next generation of players with inspiring his incredible year.
Djokovic won three of the four Grand Slams this year and seemed to keep the youngsters at bay but he claimed that they make sure that he does not stagnate.
He has also been pleased with his decision to prioritise the Grand Slams.
“I obviously had a fantastic year so far, winning three out of four slams and playing another finals in Wimbledon,” Djokovic said from Paris.
“At the beginning of the year I was saying that Grand Slams are the priorities. They still remain the priorities also for the next season and the tournaments where I want to do my best.
“So I couldn’t ask for a better season, to be honest. One match away from winning all four slams is something I would sign right away at the beginning of the season if someone told me that would be the case.
“So, you know, I have always learned something new about myself I think after every tournament. I try to correct things that I don’t like, whether it’s with my game, whether it’s with whatever, my attitude, whether it’s with approach, whatever it is. I try to be always the better version of myself the next week comparing to the week before.
“Overall, you know, if I have to see things from a general perspective what I learned as a player is that in a way the lesson that I have already learned, but it’s good to always go through it again, is that consistency is the key, sticking to the routines, and things that make you a better player and improving. Improvement is a constant process. So there is no stagnation and relying on what has served you well before the year before or the week before is going to serve you this week. At least in my mentality and approach, that’s not the case.
“You know, I always look for ways to be better than I was, especially the year before. Because you have young players and new generations. They are hungry, dynamic, they’re energetic, they want to win the biggest tournaments in the world, they want to beat you on the big stage. I know they are doing everything they can to improve and to figure out the way how to win against you.
“So, you know, I have to do the same or even more. So I learned again that that’s going to give you the results in the end of the day.”
Djokovic also felt that his tailored schedule helped him spend more quality time with his wife and kids.
“Personally, as a father, I have learned that spending more time with children really, you know, grants you with incredible satisfaction and beautiful emotions and things that you carry for a long time that define fatherhood and parenthood in a way. You know, just spending as much as possible quality time with my children,” said Djokovic.
“And because I have been, I would say, modeling my schedule, so to say, this year to my likings where I want to play, and I haven’t played many tournaments at all, I’ve got to spend more time with my family, and that was a beautiful thing. You know, because the rewards that you get in the relationship is something that is bigger than anything.”
