Djokovic, after recovering the crown in Australia: “I collapsed emotionally when I went to greet my people”

Novak Djokovic won his tenth title on Sunday in the Australian Openwith a solid win against Stephen Tsitsipas. It was not another trophy for the Serbian, because he allowed him to equal the record for consecrations in the Grand Slams, which he now shares with Rafael Nadal, with 22 crowns each, and recover the number one in the world. And, moreover, because the two weeks spent in Melbourne weren’t peaceful, amidst the uncertainty about how he would be received in that city, after last year’s deportation, linked to his refusal to get vaccinated against Covid; the threat of injury, which was about to take him out of the race for the second consecutive year; and some non-sporting controversies.

Because, Freight He celebrated the victory like never before: he collapsed when he went to say goodbye to his team after the victory and cried, as he had never seen him do in his career, after a tennis match. And this Monday, during the traditional photo session of the champion, he acknowledged: “This tournament has been a series of circumstances that have required an enormous amount of energy from me, especially mental and emotional, that’s why I feel a little deflated right now, but obviously very satisfied and happy”.

“I never prepare my celebrations, I do what comes out of my soul depending on how things went,” he said. “I collapsed emotionally when I went to say hello to my people because I had a lot of tension and energy built up. And I understand everything they do for me and what they have been struggling with lately. They are with me in the most difficult moments and without it would be impossible for them to do all this. This trophy is as much yours as it is mine.”

The Serbian, back at the top of the league table he last held in June last year, admitted it was not easy to keep his lead throughout the tournament.

“After last year’s events, returning to Australia I was curious and a little more nervous than usual about how people would welcome me on and off the track. Overall it was a very positive experience. I also had to deal with the fear of an injury a few days before the start of the tournament,” he began.

“Then there were other events that I really didn’t need to go through, especially in the closing stages of a Grand Slam, but I had to accept that, let it go, in a way, and focus on what mattered most.” he continued, alluding to the controversy that saw his father as the protagonist, who after the duel in the quarter-finals, had himself photographed with fans waving a Russian flag with the face of Vladimir Putin.

“During a Grand Slam you have to block out all those kinds of emotions. If I really wanted to win the trophy, I had to stay strong and not let any external or disturbing factor distract me on the way to the title. And I did,” she closed .

Another controversy Djokovic was featured in had to do with the hamstring injury in his left leg, which he had suffered in the semi-final of the tournament adelaide (final serve a Sebastian Rope) and restricted him in his first matches in Melbourne. Many accused him of feigning annoyance. After the consecration, both he and his coach, Goran IvanisevicThey provided more details on the matter.

The former Croatian tennis player, his coach since 2019, assured that the results of the resonance that his student had before the third round match were “worrying” and that he really feared he could not go out and face on that occasion Grigor Dimitrovwhom he eventually beat in three sets.

“I wouldn’t say 100 percent, but 97 percent of the players who would get that MRI on Saturday would go straight to the tournament referee and withdraw,” Ivanisevic said. “Not him. Novak is from another planet. His brain works differently. I’ve been with him for four years and he continues to amaze me. He gave everything. He did 77 therapies a day and every day he got better. I don’t tell you wait, really.”

The Serbian said that he will do new studies in the next few days and that he will then be able to “talk a little more about the subject and understand the situation”. And he confirmed that he hopes to get back on the pitch in a few weeks and play Dubai ATP 500which will start on February 27th.

Once again at the top of the standings, Djokovic will have two major challenges for the rest of the season: defending that position and trying to expand his collection of “big” titles, to stand alone as the first winner in tennis’ most important category. Ivanisevic has no doubts that his player has many chances to make it happen.

“Without a doubt, I think he can stay on top for another two or three years. The way he takes care of his body and how he eats is something incredible. Having young guys is good for our sport, but Rafa and Nole continue They are still fighting,” the coach reflected.

And he added: “Seven years ago I said that Novak and Rafa would overcome Roger Federer in big headlines and everyone was looking at me weird. Now they have 22 each. They are two incredible competitors. I can not wait Roland Garros. I really hope they’re both okay, because the battle will be there.”

Djokovic, meanwhile, has warned that his desire to strive for great things is still intact.

“I love this sport with all my heart. I love tennis and grabbing a racket and playing with anyone,” she said. “But professionally I’m a fierce competitor. I don’t like to lose…and there’s still a lot of that fire inside me that burns with passion for sport and competition. It’s what keeps me going the best of my abilities, day after day, after so many years of repeating the same routines, there is always a bigger goal”.