“I need more money or…,” Novak Djokovic ignites the “fierce competitor” in himself as the passionate fire of sweet victory keeps honing his skills on court

Djokovic said that he is not someone who nonchalantly plays to have fun, calling himself a fierce competitor.

“I need more money or…,” Novak Djokovic ignites the “fierce competitor” in himself as the passionate fire of sweet victory keeps honing his skills on court

Novak Djokovic (Image via X)

Novak Djokovic, the 24-time Grand Slam champion, claimed that instead of enjoying tennis at the late stage of his career, he rather gets tensed when he is not winning matches. Djokovic is currently playing at the Australian Open where he reached the quarter-finals and will lock horns with USA’s Taylor Fritz, scheduled on Wednesday (January 24).

In the fourth round, Nole defeated France’s Adrian Mannarino with ease (6-0, 6-0, 6-3). He was later asked at the press conference if he enjoys playing tennis more than ever at this stage. The 36-year-old said that though he expected he wouldn’t get stressed during practice sessions or matches, the fire still burns within him, which has helped him achieve what he has achieved so far.

YouTube video
It is as it always was: very high intensity. You can see it even today. I was 6-Love, 2-Love up. It was a long game, and I was like going on with discussions, heated discussions, with my box. Yeah, I always look for the best performance from myself. So I put a lot of effort every single day into making it happen. When it doesn't happen, I'm frustrated.
Djokovic said at the press conference

Djokovic added that he is not someone who nonchalantly plays to have fun, and called himself a “fierce competitor.”

FS Video
At the end of the day, I'm not playing anymore because I need more money, or I need more points, or whatever. I just want to play.
Djokovic added

Novak Djokovic started the year with a loss to Alex de Minaur

Novak Djokovic has not lost a single match in Australia for the last six years, but before the 2024 Australian Open, Alex de Minaur defeated him in the quarter-finals of the United Cup with a score of 6-4, 6-4. It was Nole’s first defeat in Australia after 43 wins on the trot.

Novak Djokovic
Alex de Minaur (L), Novak Djokovic (R) (Images via X)

It was also the Serb’s first defeat of the season. This victory helped de Minaur give his team, Australia, a lead in the United Cup. However, de Minaur, who was eyeing his first Grand Slam title, lost to Andrey Rublev in an epic encounter in the ongoing tournament. After losing the first set, the Australian took the second and third set but Rublev came back into the game to win the match and make it to the quarter-finals with the score of 6-4, 6-7(7-5), 6-7(4-7), 6-3, 6-0.

Notably, Djokovic ended de Minaur’s 2023 Australian Open dream by beating him in the fourth round in straight sets 6-2, 6-1, 6-2. The Serb would then defeat Rublev, Tommy Paul, and Stefanos Tsitsipas to clinch his 10th Australian Open title that year.

In case you missed it!