Novak Djokovic talks 100th title and edging closer to retirement

Novak Djokovic admitted that he really needed his recent ATP250 tournament win in Geneva that took his total number of titles won to 100.

Djokovic outlined exactly why this tournament win was so critical for him.

“I needed to win matches, and particularly on this surface. For me at least, it doesn’t maybe come as natural to play well from the blocks, so to say, from the very first tournaments of the season on clay.

“So, I’m the type of player that needs to get some matches under his belt before the big tournaments like, of course, the biggest one being Roland Garros and being the biggest priority on this surface.

“So, that’s the biggest reason why I went to Geneva. Obviously, I had family there, so I was feeling good off the court, as well, and I already had a great time last year, to be honest, played semis last year and was very well-received by the public in Geneva, great support.”

Future tennis plans

Djokovic was asked to reflect on how Sunday’s honouring ceremony of his long-time rival and friend, Rafael Nadal, impacted his future tennis plans.

“Well, I mean, honestly I was thinking about my end of the road as well when we were watching Rafa having his speech, particularly those moments when we were in the back room, the three of us, and I was just, yeah, obviously talking to Federer and Murray about their good-byes and reminiscing and reflecting on the rivalries, and of course part of me is proud that I’m still there, that I’m still going, but at the same time, I was, and I still am a bit sad that they’re all gone, because those guys were my greatest motivations
of why I competed so intensely and for so long.”

Djokovic revealed that the Nadal ceremony touched him deeply.

“So, it was a beautiful moment, really one of the nicest moments I have experienced on this court.

“Really, walking into the court with Federer and Murray alongside and being there for Nadal and experiencing all the glory of the celebrations of his career. We were all happy for him because he absolutely deserved it.”

Djokovic was asked whether it was awkward seeing Murray so soon after their coaching partnership had recently ended and whether there were any jokes made after Djokovic’s win in Geneva.

“In terms of the joke about the tournament, yeah, he did congratulate me, and he said, ‘Now that you have a proper coach, you’re winning tournaments (smiling)’. I don’t know. I didn’t take that as a joke (laughter).

“I mean, yeah, of course he was joking, but, you know, I think I have said enough, but I will say it again: Andy is just an amazing person.

“First of all, someone that I have spent most of my career with since the very young age on the tour, traveling, playing him, facing him in the earliest days under 12 and all the way through to the last days of his career.”

Gratitude

Novak Djokovic expressed a deep sense of gratitude to have had the opportunity to work so closely with Murray.

“For him to join my team and for us to give a shot to this player/coach relationship was really an incredible thing for tennis and for both of us.

“I was very privileged and honoured. I was enjoying myself very much regardless of the fact that we haven’t had maybe the success we both wanted or people expected us to have.”

Djokovic still firmly believes that Murray has more to offer other players as a coach.

“But I still think that, you know, I have learned things on the court with him, I have enjoyed my conversations with him about tennis, because I still think that he’s one of the most brilliant tennis IQ guys out there.

“Whoever he decides to work with next, if and when, you know, that player is going to be lucky because he has definitely a lot to share, a lot of great insights.”

Even though their partnership was not a successful one, it was still an enjoyable experience for Djokovic, and it appears to have brought them even closer together.

“It just didn’t work out between us in terms of results, in terms of what we were hoping for, and that’s all there is to it. Personally, I actually enjoyed my time very much with him, and I feel like we have a closer relationship because of our working relationship in the last four, five months.”

More confident

Djokovic was reminded that he achieved his goal of winning an Olympic gold last year at Roland Garros. Another of his goals this year was to win his 100th tournament. Another box ticked. Has his goal of winning a 25th Grand Slam changed in any way?

“I actually was considering winning a 25th Grand Slam before, so it hasn’t changed much, but it’s true that after the Geneva title, I feel more confident.

“I feel more positive about my level of play because I had a lot of concerns regarding my game play, and I needed to reach a level that would be the one that I wanted as I was about to start the biggest tournament here.

“But now, after Geneva, I feel better, I still have a lot of ambitions, I still have high objectives. I will focus on the first round, and I would like to maintain this high level, this dedication hopefully to reach the best possible result.”

It will be interesting to see whether his recent win in Geneva and his close involvement in honouring Nadal help propel Novak Djokovic to his goal of a 25th Grand Slam title.

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