Former world No 1 ‘distrusts’ Novak Djokovic over his motivation comments

Ewan West 21 May 2024 10:14 AM

Novak Djokovic press conference Australian Open

Novak Djokovic looks on during a press conference

French Open tournament director Amelie Mauresmo has declared she does not trust Novak Djokovic’s comments about his diminishing motivation.

The two-time Grand Slam champion hailed Djokovic’s “incredible mental strength” and pointed to the way the Serbian has overcome “very complex situations” throughout his career.

In a conversation with Nick Kyrgios on the Good Trouble with Nick Kyrgios podcast, Djokovic explained why he is conflicted over his hunger to continue his tennis career.

“The little Novak, the four-year-old Novak, who started playing tennis in Kopaonik in Serbia, is still inside and still in love with the sport and is still so hungry for more,” Djokovic told Kyrgios in the recently-released podcast, which was recorded in January.

“But at the same time, there’s probably this more mature Novak, father and a husband, that is, ‘Come on, man. There are other things in life as well’.

“I really miss my children as we speak now. They are back in Europe, and I haven’t seen them for weeks. If I do well here, I will not see them for another two, three weeks, who knows? And that’s hurting me more and more, leaving them.”

This open admission from Djokovic has fuelled further questions about his motivation to remain at the top of the sport in what has been a difficult 2024 season to date.

The world No 1 is yet to reach a final this year and holds a 12-5 record, having won seven titles and compiled a 56-7 record during a remarkable 2023 campaign. The 24-time Grand Slam champion will celebrate his 37th birthday on May 22.

Mauresmo, a former world No 1, gave her thoughts on Djokovic’s motivation ahead of the 2024 French Open.

“He’s like everyone else actually! He has times when things aren’t going well, times when he has less motivation (translated from French),” Mauresmo said on the C à vous talk show.

“He was very honest to talk about it, very transparent. But he has incredible mental strength and we have seen him in very complex situations throughout his career, which he overcame in an extraordinary way.

“I distrust him. Yes yes, even if we think that it is more difficult, that he is at the bottom of the wave, he still has extraordinary resources.”

Djokovic is in action at the Geneva Open this week after accepting a wildcard to compete at the ATP 250 tournament. He will face Yannick Hanfmann or Andy Murray in his opening match on his birthday on Wednesday.

The Serbian will then attempt to defend his title at Roland Garros, which gets underway on Sunday May 26.