Novak Djokovic explains battle cries: "Had to bring intensity to the pitch"
In the press conference after his hard-fought victory over Kyle Edmund , Novak Djokovic made it clear that his fitness will definitely not be a problem at this year's US Open.
by Michael Rothschädl
last edit: Sep 03, 2020, 01:23 pm
Novak Djokovic's appearances at the Western & Southern Open raised a few questions despite the Serbian’s sovereign final success. The question about the physical condition of the industry leader, whether the problems on the neck - because of which the 33-year-old was treated several times during the tournament - are a bit more serious, whether these Serbs might be on the way to Grand Slam title number 18 could inhibit.
Or the question of fitness, regeneration. Because after the tough fight against Roberto Bautista Agut on Friday , the three-set success in the final over Milos Raonic, the "Djoker" only had a single day off before it went straight back to business at the US Open in the best-of-five format . However, hurdle one, the Bosnian Damir Dzumhur, was quickly taken, Djokovic won in three clear sets.
Now, again just one day recovery time later, Djokovic was on the court for the next hot dance, had to go over four sets against the British Kyle Edmund, but ultimately prevailed quite confidently . And that, although the Serb has already had to play a few tough games in the last few days.
"Good for me for the rest of the tournament"
"I think the way of thinking at Grand Slams is different than at any other tournament. I think that the longer a match goes on, the better my chances are, especially against a player like Kyle, who plays a very exhausting game," stated Djokovic following his match against the British. He knew that Edmund would decrease physically as the match progressed, then he, Djokovic, increased his level.
Basically, the industry leader is actually quite happy to have played a tough match so early, as he emphasizes in the interview: "I am really happy to have had an early, very tough match. I think that for the rest of the Tournament is doing well, "said the Serb in the virtual press conference after his second round success.
Djokovic and his way of bringing intensity to the pitch
Physically, however, this test is not a problem at all, as Djokovic emphasizes. "I don't feel tired. I don't have the feeling that energy or relaxation will be an issue. On the contrary, I actually feel very fit. I love to play best-of-five," said the world number one . Of course, his many years of experience also help a lot at this moment, Djokovic has been on the tour for over 15 years.
And also for the frequent, sometimes vocal outbursts of emotions, for which Djokovic is now already known at the US Open, the world number one has an explanation ready: "I had to bring a bit of intensity to the pitch, that's the way I do I'm trying to generate the intensity myself under these strange circumstances, in which you play in front of an empty stadium, "said Djokovic, who wants to bring such intensity to the field again on Friday against Jan-Lennard Struff.