Novak Djokovic is not only one of the greatest tennis players of all time, but one of the greatest sportsmen too.
A well-respected athlete who transcends the sport that he has dominated for two decades now, this 24-time Grand Slam champion has won it all, and yet still has the desire to claim more honours.
In a recent interview, he sought to explain how he cultivated such a sparkling champion mindset.
That was, until the interviewee said something that he had to set the record straight on.
Novak Djokovic forced to set the record straight
Speaking on CBS Sports as part of their 60 minutes interview series, Novak Djokovic was this iteration’s guest, as a great coup for the show.
The legendary Serbian superstar, who officially completed tennis over the summer by winning the Olympic gold medal, has been lauded relentlessly in recent weeks, and deservedly so.
After all, he took on the weight of the world regarding the pressure he felt to win this title, and still came out on top.
Now, speaking to journalist Jon Wertheim, the interviewer first stated: ‘What I think is your great gift [mental ability] is much harder to articulate.’
This provoked the 37-year-old, who replied: ‘I would have to correct you. It’s not a gift. It’s something that comes with work.’
Wertheim replied: ‘You train for the mental side, the way you would your serve, how?’
‘Absolutely,’ Djokovic noted. ‘Well, there are different techniques. Conscious breathing is a big part, especially in the moments when you’re under tension.’
This startled the journalist, who then asked: ‘I think a lot of people think in the moment Novak is so locked in, you’re saying this is part of a process?’
Djokovic then offered his final statement on the matter: ‘I mean it might appear locked in but trust me there is a storm inside. The biggest battle is always within. You have your doubts and fears, I feel it every single match.
‘I don’t like this mindset that I see a lot in sports about just thinking positive thoughts, be optimistic, there is no room for failure and doubts. It’s impossible. You are a human being.
‘The difference between the guys who are able to be the biggest champions and the ones who are struggling to get to the highest level is the ability to not stay in those emotions for too long.’
This came just after Andy Roddick predicted Djokovic to win the US Open next week.
Nobody has a stronger mentality than Novak Djokovic
This summer marks the perfect example of Djokovic’s unrelenting mentality, although, across his long and illustrious career, there have been too many to count.
However, in this particular instance, he faced an almighty task to overcome Carlos Alcaraz, who had just won Roland Garros and Wimbledon back to back, pulverising Djokovic in the final of the latter.
Not only that, but this surely represented his final competitive Olympics, given he would be 41 by the time the next games rolled around.
It was now or never, and despite all these challenges, he overcame his young Spanish adversary in the final.
There are few in sport, let alone just tennis, who could have shown up like he did this summer. A truly legendary showing from one of tennis’ greatest.
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