“He can always find a way to win it,” Liverpool’s new manager Arne Slot praises Novak Djokovic’s resilience after watching his epic Roland Garros five-setter

Liverpool manager Slot, who watched one of Djokovic's five-set Roland Garros matches, praised him for his resilience.

“He can always find a way to win it,” Liverpool’s new manager Arne Slot praises Novak Djokovic’s resilience after watching his epic Roland Garros five-setter

Novak Djokovic, Arne Slot (Images via Imago, X)

Liverpool’s new manager Arne Slot talked about the importance of mentality by referencing Novak Djokovic‘s recent Roland Garros wins. Djokovic, who withdrew from the French Open quarterfinals against Casper Ruud, played two five-set matches and emerged victorious. 

The first match was against Lorenzo Musetti. Nole, after winning the first set, lost two sets on the trot before making a comeback to win the match with a scoreline of 7-5, 6-7(6-8), 2-6, 6-3, 6-0. 

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The World No. 3 then survived a Francisco Cerundolo scare in the fourth round. The match ended around 3 a.m. local time after Djokovic produced what he is known for-that is, taking control of the match even though he was on the brink of defeat. 

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He ended up winning the match with a scoreline of 6-1, 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3. Liverpool manager Slot, who watched one of these Roland Garros matches, praised the Serb for his resilience and revealed how during team meetings he uses examples like Djokovic’s match to motivate the players. 

I've tried to use examples from cycling or recently, tennis. I watched Roland Garros, and we saw Djokovic win a very difficult match, I think that's one of his qualities, that he can also win a match when it doesn't go his way, he can always find a way to win it.
Arne Slot told the Liverpool website 

Slot replaced legend Jurgen Klopp who left the club after a nine-year stint. At Anfield, the 57-year-old German has guided The Reds to eight titles- one Premier League title, an FA Cup, a FIFA Club World Cup, one Champions League crown, two EFL Cups, the Community Shield, and a UEFA Super Cup. 

Novak Djokovic will officially be World No. 2 next week

Even though Novak Djokovic won those two tough matches at Roland Garros, he was not at his usual best. This year has so far been a forgettable one for the 24-time Grand Slam champion, for he has failed to reach even a single final in the six tournaments he has played, including in the ATP 250 Geneva Open. 

Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic (Image via Imago)

During that match against Francisco Cerundolo, Djokovic slipped multiple times and hurt his knees, as a result of which he was forced to withdraw. This helped Jannik Sinner, who dethroned the Serb to become the first player from Italy to be crowned World No.1. 

Then, after Carlos Alcaraz‘s victory in Roland Garros, he replaced Djokovic in the No.2 spot. However, the Spaniard failed to defend his title at the ongoing Queen’s Club Championships, for he lost his second-round match to British No.1 Jack Draper, which will officially make Djokovic World No.2 next week.

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