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Novak Djokovic’s Resilience as He Faces New Challenges
As Novak Djokovic approaches his 38th birthday, the undeniable reality is that he is experiencing the effects of aging as a professional athlete.
With the commencement of the men’s clay-court season in Monte Carlo, Djokovic has showcased notable improvement compared to just two weeks ago.
His recent performance, where he finished as the runner-up in Miami against Czech prodigy Jakub Mensik, indicates that the 24-time Grand Slam victor still possesses the competitive spirit and skill to continue playing at a high level.
Reflecting on his journey, Djokovic acknowledged, “There is no doubt that [motivation] has become more difficult throughout my career, but the performances in Miami give me more inspiration to keep going.”
To contend effectively at the upcoming French Open and Wimbledon, Djokovic recognizes the importance of honing his serve. Given the rapid pace of the game and the physical demands from younger rivals, he aims to enhance the precision of his serves—an often-overlooked strength in his game—to minimize prolonged rallies.
The Miami tournament served as a testament to this tactic. Djokovic recorded an impressive 79% of first serves, achieving a remarkable 87% during his semi-final match against Grigor Dimitrov. He faced only seven break points across his first five matches, highlighting the effectiveness of his strategy.
After defeating Dimitrov, he humorously remarked, “Now I know what it’s like to be John Isner,” referencing the American’s renowned serving prowess.
While Djokovic may not have secured a major title since the 2023 US Open and managed to win only one tournament last year—the much-coveted Olympic gold that eluded him for so long—he remains focused on adding to his illustrious record. His goal at Roland Garros is to claim a record-setting 25th Grand Slam title.
Additionally, Djokovic aims to become just the third man to reach the milestone of 100 tour-level singles titles. However, achieving this will require navigating a competitive field in Monte Carlo, where 17 of the top 20 players will be in attendance.
Among his competitors is Britain’s Jack Draper, alongside notable figures such as Alexander Zverev and Carlos Alcaraz, both of whom are regarded as top contenders.
Source
www.bbc.com