Novak Djokovic's future is a matter of priorities and goals, as himself revealed. The Serbian champion played last weekend in the Davis Cup with Serbia. The 24-time Grand Slam champion beat the 770th player in the world, Ioannis Xilas, losing only one game (6-0 6-1 the final score).
Speaking to the media, Nole was very clear about what his priorities are at this point in his career.
"Words are useless, facts speak for themselves. I think my commitment says it all. With the new format I have fewer opportunities to play at home. I don't know yet how long I'll play tennis, but as long as I do, playing for Serbia will always be a priority. Weeks like this motivate me and help me continue, they're like an inspiration. If I want to prolong my career I have to enjoy it, and on days like these you get butterflies in your stomach, when I feel that it's not like that, then it's over for me," explained the Serbian champion.
After the US Open Djokovic dropped to number 4 ATP, and is still not sure of qualifying for Turin but on these aspects, the Serbian champion was very clear explaining how many tournaments are no longer his priority. Djokovic will return to the Shanghai Rolex Masters after several years, and then play the Paris Rolex Masters.
"I don't know when I'll play after the Shanghai Masters 1000, my priority is only the Slams and the National team matches. The ATP Finals and getting ATP No.1 are no longer goals for me. I don't know if I'll play the Finals this year or next year, but now what I need most is physical, mental and emotional rest to decide what the prospects are for my career, how much I want to play and where," he said honestly.
Nole's season has so far been devoid of many successes and satisfactions, also due to his advancing age and the resulting physical ailments, but it has brought with it the most sought-after title in recent years: the gold at the Paris Olympic Games. This was confirmed by the Serbian champion himself, who a few months after this great joy, reiterated the importance of this victory for him.
"The Olympics only happen every four years. I came to these Olympics without having won a title before, I had a knee operation, I'm 37 years old, I beat an opponent who just beat me at Wimbledon. All of this makes it so special. The greatest series of emotions in my career, it's hard to put into words," the Serbian champion told RTS.
"I lost to Nadal in a hard-fought semi-final in Beijing, then I lost two more semi-finals at the Olympics, I also lost the battles for third place, these were among the hardest losses in my career," he added.
When you hear about pressure on players like Djokovic it seems paradoxical, after the incredible number of titles and records he has won in his career, but, at the US Open, the Serbian champion admitted he felt it, and a lot, of pressure.
"Ahead of the final in Paris, I didn't lose a set, I beat Nadal at his home - even though he wasn't at his best, but still beating him in Paris is something huge. I felt the energy and support from home too, so the 'additional pressure' was lower than usual. In New York, for example, I felt that I wasn't myself on the court, that I wasn't well prepared, so I felt more pressure ahead of each match than before the final at the Olympics. Just because of how I felt. Tennis is an individual sport: if you don't have a solution on a certain day, it's over, you've lost," he analyzed.
