Novak Djokovic explains his mental strength
Novak Djokovic also uses the days off to keep learning. But also to teach and share his experiences.
by tennisnet.com
last edit: May 03, 2020, 08:44 am
Over the past twelve months, Novak Djokovic has proven again and again how important mental strength is. Three examples: In the final of Wimbledon 2019, the Serb defended against Roger Federer in the fifth set two Swiss match balls on his serve. And won the title. In the fourth set of the US Open final earlier this year, it looked like Dominic Thiem could beat the world number one. Djokovic turned the game. And lastly in Dubai it was Gael Monfils whom Djokovic repeatedly brought to despair. In this game too, Nole eliminated two chances of winning his opponent's match.
Which thinking processes and patterns are revealed in such moments, Djokovic tries to work out on Instagram these days as part of his series "The Self-Mastery Project". The guest in the latest episode was extreme athlete Wim Hof, who according to the Guinness Book of Records considers the best time for a half marathon running barefoot on ice or snow.
Djokovic in moments of doubt
Novak Djokovic listened to the Dutchman's statements with interest and then gave insights into his own soul life. “On the tennis court I can immediately see the difference in my own perception. When I transition from a doubtful state, where I might be distracted by a few things or influenced by external things, to a state where I am completely focused and present and everything flows. I don’t think about it because it works automatically and I have everything inside. ”
There were also moments when he said to himself: “Oh! I am not good enough, he is great, I do not feel good, the sun dazzles me, someone from the audience shouts something. “But you have to know how to hide something like that. "If you are on this path and have no control over your thoughts and you are completely flooded, then you have lost your focus and feel completely inferior to your opponent."
Believe in your own abilities
So how do you deal with such situations? “Nothing has changed from the outside, but inside you say to yourself: 'I trained well. I know i am good. I believe in myself, I trust my skills. I will do the beating in the best possible way. Whatever happens, I accept it, I recover, I get the next point.´ And then the momentum suddenly goes to your side. that's really interesting, because in the end it's all about mental strength. "