Novak Djokovic: Not obsessed - but with a clear vision
Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal are fighting - alongside Roger Federer - for the big tennis records. However, their approach is fundamentally different.
by Florian Goosmann
last edit: Apr 27, 2021, 11:41 am
Novak Djokovic makes no secret of it: he wants to win the most important records in tennis and he is on the right track. He has already implemented part 1 of his two-step plan , namely most weeks at the top of the world rankings. Here the Djoker recently replaced Roger Federer and has now been offering 318 weeks, an end is not in sight.
Part 2 will be to win the most Grand Slam titles. Djokovic has 18 pieces so far, he is only two majors behind Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal (20), and he at least has the advantage of being Benjamin among the three: Djokovic is "only" 33 years young, Nadal 34 and Federer already 39.
Nadal: "Improve something in every training session"
While Djokovic makes no secret of his incentive, Nadal approaches the matter differently. "My personal motivation is much higher than the motivation to have other players in front of you. I only play for myself, for my team, for my fans, for my family, for me of course," said Nadal recently . "My approach is that I want to become a better tennis player, that's how I understand the sport. I go to training every day with the aim of improving something, to get better. Not because I have to get better, because I like Roger or Novak I do it because I see the sport that way. But of course: Having these players in front of you helps you have a clear view of who have to get better, " continued Nadal .
Djokovic, however, was more obsessed or focused on grand slams and records, said Nadal, who then specified: This was by no means meant in a negative way. But that is not his own approach. Even if he wants to achieve as much as possible, of course.
Djokovic: Lost something without clear goals
On the sidelines of the tournament in Belgrade , Djokovic has now declared himself - and classified Nadal's thoughts.
He is not obsessed with anything, says Djokovic, but he feels a deep passion and a great desire. "I try to achieve my goals and have no problem saying it." And Djokovic explained why this is the case: Every athlete needs goals in mind, "so he can see where point A and where point B is, and how he gets from one to the other." When you set goals, you create the mental clarity necessary to stay disciplined, responsible, and organized. "
He had phases in his life when he lacked a clear vision. "At the time, I didn't know what I wanted or which direction I wanted to go. And that didn't go well."