Olympia: Novak Djokovic highly concentrated, highly motivated, highly decorated
Novak Djokovic started the tennis tournament at the Olympic Games very confidently. In Tokyo, the Serb shows the conscientiousness that has already given him three Grand Slam victories this calendar year.
by Michael Rothschädl
last edit: Jul 24, 2021, 08:44 pm
Novak Djokovic is coming to the Olympic Games in Tokyo in the 2021 calendar year alone with the honors of three Grand Slam victories. And has a clear mission in mind: the Golden Slam. But the "Djoker" is still missing exactly two titles. The triumph at the US Open in September and the title win here in Tokyo at the Olympic Games, to which the industry leader is traveling as a clear favorite.
The world number one mastered the opening hurdle on Friday, as befits his standing, a solid Djokovic gave Boliver Hugo Dellien four game wins. "I could always do better, but for a first game I'm happy. I think I played well enough to win, but I also know that I can do better. There were some moments in training have been better in the past few days, but that's something to be expected because the game is a different story, "said Djokovic after progressing.
Djokovic and Medvedev criticize conditions
Rather than with his opponent, Djokovic had the conditions in the Japanese summer. This also criticized his first pursuer in the world rankings, the Russian Daniil Medvedev. "It was the hottest day so far. The humidity is brutal. It's certainly hot. There wasn't a lot of wind, not a lot of breeze. The conditions are definitely harsh. It's exhausting, especially when it's sunny. I don't understand why that." The start of the first games was not postponed, "said the world number one.
He also did not understand why there were no changes in the schedule to give the players at least a slight cooling off of the evening. "The television broadcast is not an excuse either, because due to the time difference it would be good for both Europe and America," said the Serb.
Gold medal in view
Unlike Medvedev, who started a veritable rant against the game plan, the world number one quickly focused on the essentials again: his game. "As much experience as I have, the Olympic Games are: the expectations, the pressure to start, to play well, at the level you want. Still, 6-2, 6-2 in the end, I haven't spent a lot of time on the pitch, "said Djokovic.
It is precisely this conscientiousness with which Novak Djokovic was able to win the title in Roland Garros, Wimbledon and Melbourne this year. The conscientiousness of a champion. Because the Serb makes no secret of wanting to leave Tokyo with the gold medal in his luggage. And he also makes little impression, as if he would let anything get in the way of this goal.