Starvation for extra success spur to getting Djokovic away from bed

Novak Djokovic, contemporary from successful a record-equalling sixth ATP Finals title, mentioned starvation for extra success and love of tennis is what nonetheless evokes him to get away from bed.

The 35-year-old Serbian loves making historical past and his prime goal is the general report of Grand Slam titles, held by nice rival Rafael Nadal with 22.

The pair ought to conflict within the opening Grand Slam of the season the Australian Open in January. Nadal gained this 12 months’s version with Djokovic, who refuses to be vaccinated in opposition to Covid, being expelled from Australia.

Djokovic additionally missed the US Open as a result of he’s not vaccinated. He performed Wimbledon and retained his title.

Nonetheless, as his physique ages and the aches and pains turn into extra a characteristic of day by day life, Djokovic mentioned he has to discover a motive to rub the sleep from his eyes and bounce away from bed.

“In these moments the place you might have ache, this or that, you don’t really feel possibly like standing up within the morning,” mentioned Djokovic after beating Casper Ruud to turn into the oldest participant to win the season-ending event.

“There must be one thing, no matter it’s for all of us, that will get us up from the mattress.

“It’s the guts, it’s the thoughts, regardless of the life pressure or the gas is for you.”

For the extraordinary Serbian the gas is success.

“For me it’s nonetheless the starvation that somebody requested me about,” he mentioned.

“It’s love for the sport, little doubt.

“Ardour. I really like the sport.”

– ‘Dangerous man and the nice man’ –

This love feeds into his need to make historical past.

He has already made lots, although he has mentioned the report 373 weeks as world primary was the one closest to his coronary heart and for which he “labored all his life”.

“In fact, making historical past of the tennis sport, which in fact is my favorite sport, the game that has given me a lot privileges in life and advantages,” he mentioned.

“Why not attempt it? Why not dream about it? I’ve no downside to verbalise that I’ve greatest targets, that I wish to be the perfect, that I wish to win each event.

“I don’t suppose that’s not humble. I simply really feel it’s necessary to respect everybody within the sport however nonetheless be assured with your self. I don’t see something dangerous in that.”

Djokovic mentioned recovering after a troublesome match — like his three-set battle which ended after simply over three hours with Daniil Medvedev within the pool stage on the ATP Finals — and making ready for one more includes plenty of soul-searching.

“I believe somebody requested me after the Medvedev thriller, The place is the restrict?” he mentioned.

“It’s an inner battle with myself as a result of there’s one voice that’s at all times telling you: ‘you’ll be able to’t do it, you’re too drained’, this and that, proper?

“The dangerous man and the nice man. You attempt to feed the nice man so he can turn into louder and stronger than the dangerous man.

“It’s so simple as that.”