Novak Djokovic, a tennis legend with 24 Grand Slam titles under his belt, is on a quest for more, and his coach Goran Ivanisevic plays a crucial role in keeping the fire alive. Djokovic, aware of his advancing tennis career, acknowledges that he requires extra motivation in the later stages, considering the evolving dynamics of his life off the court.
In a conversation with Eurosport in Paris, Djokovic opened up about the challenges he faces, including the constant travel that he no longer enjoys as much. Juggling a busy life with business commitments, a wife, and children, he emphasized the emotional toll of leaving his family, making each trip a quest for victory and worth the sacrifice.
Despite his success, Djokovic humorously admitted that his coaching team, led by Ivanisevic, struggles to find new ways to motivate him. The camaraderie between them is evident, with Djokovic joking about the challenges of expressing frustration on the court without being understood by umpires due to the shared language between Croatian and Serbian players.
The interview delves into Djokovic’s admiration for Ivanisevic, who served as an inspiration during his childhood, proving that dreams can become a reality. Djokovic reflects on the need for creativity in language to express frustration without falling foul of tennis etiquette.
Promoting Lacoste-branded jackets bearing the No. 24, Djokovic coyly avoids revealing plans for Grand Slam No. 25, citing instructions to stay mum. He describes the pursuit of another title as a “wonderful problem” and expresses happiness with his current count of 24 Grand Slam victories. Despite public expectations for more, Djokovic emphasizes the difficulty of winning and likens his experience to a cat with nine lives, losing one with each Grand Slam played.
In essence, Djokovic’s journey transcends the tennis court, providing insight into the challenges of maintaining motivation, the impact of personal life on a sports career, and the delicate balance between ambition and contentment at the pinnacle of the sport.