WORLDSPORTS
APRIL 2014
“I reconnected
again with my
... period of
growing up, and
spent time with
the family.”
– NOVAK DJOKOVIC
GRAND SLAM CHAMPION
He has been grabbing every possible
practice partner, hoping he can re-create
the feeling of real competition.
Djokovic also admitted that, in addition to the Australian Open loss, he has
not converted other Grand Slam opportunities as he would have liked during the
past couple of years.
Last year, he lost the Wimbledon final
to Andy Murray and both the US Open
and French Open finals to Rafael Nadal.
The year before he lost the US Open final
to Murray and a Wimbledon semi-final to
Federer.
“That’s one of the reasons why (new
coach) Boris (Becker) is here, you
know,” Djokovic explained.
“The big matches and Grand Slams
I’ve felt like I have dropped two or three
titles in the last two years that I could
have won.
“In big matches I felt that there was
that mental edge which was lacking a
little bit and so hopefully Boris can contribute in this way also.”
Djokovic agrees that the legendary
German played the game in a very different way from himself, serving big and
frequently coming to the net, but believes
this is precisely why Becker’s knowledge
is special in this area too.
We may see clear evidence of that
over the next few days.
“This is area where Boris can help,
figuring out the match situation and
details and the positioning on the court,”
Djokovic said.
Djokovic has been notably resourceful through his career, transforming
fitness levels when required, and then
elevating the intensity of his game.
There is therefore every reason to
believe he is strong-minded and adaptable enough to make these new changes.
THE GAME
sports magazine t h e g a m e
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