Novak Djokovic wanted to stop after losing to Jürgen Melzer
In an interview with Sky Italia, Novak Djokovic highlighted the deepest chasms of his career - but also one of the most beautiful matches.
by tennisnet.com
last edit: May 01, 2020, 08:42 am
Novak Djokovic's record in 2020 is flawless in terms of sport: to date, the industry leader has contested 18 individual matches and won as many. And also in the corona-related break, Djokovic shines on Instagram: be it as a life coach with a familiar coach, as a host and as a questioner of moody conversations with colleagues like Stan Wawrinka and last but not least as a humorist: in relation to his haircut, the wife Missing Jelena, Djokovic noted that it could definitely start a career as a hairdresser.
But the world number one takes the time here and there to talk to major TV companies. For example, a few days ago with Sky Italia, where Djokovic reported amazing things. "In 2010 I lost to Jürgen Melzer in the quarter-finals of Roland Garros," Djokovic recalled. "I cried when I left, that was a bad moment. I wanted to stop playing tennis and saw only black. But it was also a transformation. Because after this match I freed myself. "
Djokovic makes no mistakes against Federer
He was number three in the world at the time, winning his first Grand Slam title in Australia in 2008. "But I wasn't happy. I knew I could do more, but I lost the important matches against Federer and Nadal . After this match, I took the pressure off to start playing more aggressively. That was the turning point for me. "
There are now 17 major titles on Novak Djokovic's balance sheet. Number 16 was a very special one - the one in Wimbledon after defending two match balls against Roger Federer. “It was one of the most beautiful matches I've ever played alongside the 2012 Australian Open final against Rafa. From a technical perspective, Rogers game quality was excellent from the first to the last point. The numbers also show that. I played the crucial points well. I never hit a single ball in all three tie breaks. That was perhaps the first time in my career. Such matches only happen once or twice in a career and I'm grateful to have fought against a player like Roger in the prestigious arena like Wimbledon's Center Court. ”