“What did you think of the match?”
What probably made the difference was the second set, which lasted almost two hours. I don’t think I’ve ever played a longer set in my life, especially not on this occasion against a top player like Daniil. He was probably a better player in the second set. He deserved to win it more than me. Somehow I managed to turn the tide in the tiebreaker. At the right moment, I put one more ball in play than him. And that was enough. After the break, I found my energy again. Honestly, in the second set I felt like I was running out of air a lot of times, and my legs were hurting too. I don’t remember being as exhausted after rallies as I was in that second set.
How did you feel at match point?
Relief above all. That’s why I didn’t party like at Roland Garros, I didn’t fall on the ground and I didn’t jump for joy. I was just relieved when I saw his forehand hit the net. Then I wanted to hug my daughter, because she was sitting in the front row. I didn’t know she would be sitting there. We had too many people for too few seats in the players’ box. When I arrived on the field, I saw her. She was in front of me when I was sitting on the bench. She smiled at me every time I needed it, when I was going through very stressful moments, especially in the second set, when I needed a little boost, strength, lightness. She was all in, and she gave me this energy of an innocent child.
You were able to return to the Australian Open and the US Open after absences for reasons we know…
I wouldn’t say it’s easy. I don’t think many players have been in that position. Yes, I guess people like these comeback stories. I like them too. They motivate me. The circumstances are different, in Australia and here. I haven’t played a tournament on American soil in two years, and the last time I came, I lost in the final to the same player I beat today. I’ve really done my best over the last 48 hours to not let the importance of the moment and the issue get to my head, because two years ago, that’s what happened. happened. I had underperformed. So I learned my lesson. My team and my family knew that for the last 24 hours, they should not touch me, not talk to me, about the story, about what was at stake (smile). I really tried my best to keep things simple and stick to the routines that got me to where I am and treat this match like any other match where I just have to win.
What changes do you think you’ve made over the last few years to get to where you are?
There is always something I try to add to improve my performance in my game, at least by a few percent. It’s a constant process of improvement, of implementing certain things that work in the search for the best formula. But probably the biggest lesson I’ve learned mentally throughout my career is that even if you find a formula that works, it’s not a guarantee. And in fact, it’s very likely that it won’t work the following year. You have to reinvent yourself, because everyone does it. As a 36 year old athlete competing with 20 year olds, I probably have to do it more than I ever have to keep my body in shape.
When you lost at Wimbledon, some wondered if it was the start of a passing of the torch. How did this match influence your thinking?
People like to talk, obviously. But it’s not my job to examine what everyone is talking about or thinking, whether there’s a passing of the torch or a new generation, a next generation, a future generation, whatever you want to call it . I played three epic matches with Alcaraz this year, and I think that’s why there is a discussion or debate about the next rivalry. It’s a good thing for our sport.
What do you think of the records you are breaking?
It was three years ago that I really realized that I was not far from the record number of weeks at number one in the world and that I could have a good chance of breaking the number of Grand Slam titles if I stayed healthy . For now, I don’t have a number in mind on how many Grand Slam tournaments I can win until the end of my career. I will continue to prioritize these tournaments. I don’t know how many seasons I have left in my legs. »
2023-09-11 03:37:55
#Djokovic #Relief
