Novak Djokovic commented on how he feels preparing for tennis matches which is a good sign for his career and tennis as a whole.
The 37-year-old has been competing on the ATP Tour for the better part for 20 years and has enjoyed a remarkable career.
He holds many of the game’s biggest records including the most Grand Slams and weeks at World number one.
Djokovic has not played since the Australian Open following a hamstring injury, but now he is back to full health and is ready for the Qatar Open.
Novak Djokovic explains how he feels before tennis matches which is a ‘good sign’
Novak Djokovic has won each of the biggest titles that professional tennis has to offer.
He completed the set of Grand Slam titles by winning the first of his three French Open titles in 2016.
Djokovic completed the set of Masters 1000 titles by defeating Roger Federer to win the 2018 Cincinnati Masters, and Djokovic finally claimed Olympic gold at the Paris Olympics in 2024.
Therefore, it would come as no surprise if his level of motivation decreased, but ahead of playing in Qatar, the desire and passion to play tennis and inspire the next generation burns bright for Djokovic.
“I feel the cramps in my stomach before every match. I’m stressed, I’m nervous, I’m excited,” Djokovic told reporters. “So, it’s a good sign, because after all of these years of competing on the Tour and everything I achieved, I still feel that, I still feel the jitters.
“It’s a good sign because I still care about doing this, and I feel and I hope that my active career that keeps going is also positively affecting the overall tennis ecosystem.
“I like to believe that. And hopefully inspiring younger generations to come and watch tennis, grab a tennis racquet, participate in our sport in any shape or form.”
Who is Novak Djokovic’s first opponent at the Qatar Open?
Djokovic is set to compete in his first Qatar Open since 2018 when he plays his opening-round match on Tuesday.
He will take on Italy’s Matteo Berrettini in a rematch from the 2021 Wimbledon final, which Djokovic won in four sets.
The former top 10 player has won just one match so far this season, while Djokovic is in Qatar searching for his first title of the year and the 100th of his career.
The pair also met each other in the 2021 French Open and US Open, with the Serbian prevailing in four sets.
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