“I don’t see anything wrong in that,” Novak Djokovic relates his mentality with LeBron James when he calls himself the ‘best’
Novak Djokovic talks about his mentality and the thought process when he is settled in the court and ready to face his rivals.
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Novak Djokovic, LeBron James
The emotional scenes following Novak Djokovic’s 10th Australian Open title last month were even bigger than the accomplishment itself. The image of the man climbing up towards his box and embracing his closest friends on Rod Laver Arena has been etched in every tennis fan’s memory.
With the title Down Under, the 35-year-old not only matched up with his long-time rival Rafael Nadal in the Grand Slam tally but also firmly announced himself as one of the best ever. Djokovic’s fortnight-long run was fraught with an injury. He was even ridiculed for the same. But, in the end, Djokovic reclaimed his crown in Melbourne and the rest is history.
World No. 1 looked back at those precious moments and called them an ‘emotional collapse’. In an interview with The National, ahead of his Dubai campaign, Djokovic talked about his mentality and the thought process when he is settled in the court and ready to face his rivals.
Djokovic related himself to the basketball great LeBron James, who recently declared that he was the ‘best basketball player that ever played the game.’ “Yes, I can relate to that because I believe that what worked for me and still works for me is that self-belief and confidence level,” the 22-time Grand Slam champion said.
“Of course always balanced with respect towards the opponent, towards the game, appreciation for the moment and for what you’re going through. But just self-belief that, hey, I know that when I’m ready, when I’m there out on the court, on any surface, against anybody, I’m better, I’m the best,” he continued.
Novak Djokovic does not feel it’s wrong to call himself the best
The Serb has been under scrutiny unlike his contemporaries Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. But it does not bother him. Djokovic is a strong believer in his capacity, no matter who he is up against.
“I don’t think there’s anything arrogant or pretentious about it,” he declared citing the example of LeBron James. According to him, hard work is the ultimate test. It helps build self-belief and confidence, Djokovic noted.
During the Australian Open run, Djokovic faced criticism for his injury, with many calling him a fake. The Serb too answered them with frustration. “I just had enough,” he declared. “I really don’t have time or energy or willingness to deal with someone else’s judgment or prove something to someone.”
Djokovic is currently preparing himself for the Dubai Tennis Championship in Belgrade. His participation in Indian Wells and Miami is still under dark clouds.
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