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Novak Djokovic on comeback victory: "The second voice pushed me"

Novak Djokovic once again dug his way out of a deep energy crisis when he was 2-0 down against Stefanos Tsitsipas in the French Open final. How he did it, he explained afterwards.

by Florian Goosmann
last edit: Jun 14, 2021, 04:36 pm

Novak Djokovic
© Getty Images
Novak Djokovic

Without getting too close to the good Harry Houdini : Against Novak Djokovic, the legendary escape artist looks old. Because on Sunday afternoon Djokovic pulled out all the stops when it came to comeback tennis, and if you’re honest: you actually knew what was coming. /

Round one in the final against Stefanos Tsitsipas, who was so courageous at the beginning, could of course have tipped in both directions, after the 4-0 in the tiebreak for Tsitsipas Djokovic made it 6: 5, the forehand return sat, but Tsitsi took full risk - and scored. What Djokovic probably took with him mentally. Set two just ran away, Djokovic moved poorly or barely, went for quick points instead of played out, with the set ball he hardly made an attempt to reach the service at all. And between the points? He trotted across the Philippe-Chatrier court like a beaten man.

Djokovic and the "Energy Dips"

Anyone who has followed Djokovic in recent years, however, suspected how things would go on - and what one should think of the supposed "Energy Dips" of the Djokers: not much.

"I said to myself: I can do it. I encouraged myself and kept repeating it myself," he said after his five-set win, explaining the reasons for his U-turn - and his inner conversations. "When the third set started, when I noticed in the first few games where my level was, the second voice, which was more encouraging, pushed. After that I hardly had any doubts."

Tsitsipas: "He was a different player"

Tsitsipas seemed surprised by Djokovic's exchange after leaving the seat for the cabin. "I don't know what happened there, but afterwards he felt like a different player. He played well, hardly gave me any space. Physically, in terms of anticipation, in terms of movement, he was much fresher than before. He could read my game better. Great for him, he did well. "

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Djokovic with a great gesture

Whereby one or the other tactical tip from the outside may have done the rest. After his victory, Djokovic gave a little boy his racket - a wonderful moment. But why?

"I didn't know him, but I heard him pretty much the whole match. Especially when I was 2-0 sets back," said Djokovic, explaining his gesture. "He encouraged me, even gave me tactical tips. He said: Hold your serve, try to get a simple first ball and then dictate, go on his backhand. He practically coached me."

He wanted to show his gratitude "that he stuck to me and supported me throughout the match," said Djokovic.

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by Florian Goosmann

Monday
Jun 14, 2021, 06:25 pm
last edit: Jun 14, 2021, 04:36 pm