“Last four or five months have been very difficult,” Novak Djokovic opens up about his mental wellbeing ahead of the Monte-Carlo Masters
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Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic was present at a press conference on Sunday at the Monte Carlo Country Club, almost two months after his shock setback in Dubai against Jiri Vesely, with the pleasure of being capable of defending his chances on the courts once more. There, the world number one admitted that the past few months had been difficult mentally.
“I’m trying to leave it all behind and move on”- Novak Djokovic
In the interview, the Serb discussed his mental health and admitted that he misses competing with young players and attempting to challenge the world’s best players. “I hope I don’t play six games in six months (smiles). I miss the competition. I always feel the motivation to be on the circuit, to compete with young players and try to challenge the best players in the world for the biggest titles. Obviously, the last four or five months have been very difficult for me mentally and emotionally, but I’m trying to leave it all behind and move on.”
The World No.1 went on to express his love and admiration for clay surface despite not having great successes in it. He also stated that he is motivated by his victory at the Rolland-Garros last year, where he defeated World No. 5 Stefanos Tsitsipas, and that he is ready to start the clay-court season in the ‘best possible way.’
“Clay is the surface I grew up with in Serbia and I played for many years only on this surface actually, and historically it is not my surface that succeeds me best, even if I have had great success on this surface. Of course, last year’s Roland Garros victory is still fresh in my memory, so I try to draw inspiration from it to kick off the clay-court season in the best possible way.”
Novak Djokovic eyes the 3rd title in the Monte-Carlo Masters
Djokovic will be aiming for a third triumph in Monte Carlo as he attempts to enhance his form in the events leading up to Roland Garros, where he is the defending champion. With Rafael Nadal, the King of Clay, unable to compete in Monte Carlo due to a rib stress fracture, Novak Djokovic will be optimistic about his chances. Although Nadal, who has a record 11 championships in Monte Carlo, is not there, the red-hot Carlos Alcaraz and reigning champion Stefanos Tsistsipas are still in Djokovic’s way.
Being the top-seeded player, Djokovic received a bye in the first round and he is all set to lock horns with Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the 2nd round of the ATP Monte Carlo Masters on Tuesday.
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Pritha Ghosh
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