Novak Djokovic turns 37 subsequent 12 months, however the Serbian says his urge for food for fulfillment will solely improve with younger challengers awakening the “beast” in him.
The world No. 1 loved a unprecedented 2023 by successful three out of the 4 Grand Slams to take his tally to 24, two greater than his nice rival Rafa Nadal and 4 greater than the retired Roger Federer.
However, Djokovic didn’t have all of it his personal means, with 20-year-old Carlos Alcaraz denying him a fifth-straight Wimbledon crown in an exhilarating last and 22-year-old Jannik Sinner dashing his hopes of Davis Cup glory.
“The young guys who are very hungry and very inspired to play their best tennis against me is an additional motivation,” Djokovic stated on the CBS News program “60 Minutes.”
“I think they kind of awaken a beast in me.”
Djokovic beat Alcaraz in three of their 4 conferences this 12 months – together with the French Open semi-finals, the place the Spaniard suffered full-body cramps – however the Serb stated his younger rival had develop into an actual risk.
“He’s as complete of a player as I have seen in ages,” Djokovic stated, including that he used his defeat within the Wimbledon last as motivation for the U.S. hardcourt swing, the place he gained at Cincinnati and Flushing Meadows.
“It’s a great opportunity for me to reinvent myself and really push harder than I ever did.”
Source: www.dailysabah.com