Monaco – It’s undeniable true that things are easier for tennis players in their thirties.
It is not so long ago, even playing at the highest level at such an age would be considered almost Miracle. Although progress in athleticism, nutrition and recovery has made much more common, in fact, obtaining the greatest titles of sports at older age is more difficult than ever. Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal It was 36 and 35, respectively, when they won their last big company.
Novak djokovic was also 36 when Won the latest of his record 24 titles Grand Slam Singles at the US Open in 2023 and was 37 when Won the Olympic gold medal Last summer fill the only gap in his resume. But when the season of clay courts begins, only a month shy from his 38th birthday, knows more than anyone else how hard it becomes to get majority, just like them, for the best of five sets.
It is not just an emergence Jannik Sinner and Carlos AlcarazWho won the last five straws and six of the last seven, has complicated matters. For Djokovic, injuries inevitably became more common, such as tears of hamstring, which ended its excellent Australian open run in the semifinals in January, and it seems that small things are just appearing to claim life as eye infection that has influenced him in the final in the finals. And with their children now 10 and 7, juggling tennis and family is a growing battle.
“I’m trying to have a balancing act as I’m going,” Djokovic said on Sunday Monte Carlo Masters, infection under his right eye still visible. “When I say” Balance of the act “, I mean it is really a nice balance between professional life and private life and being happy with what I do and how I do it, and I am still able to motivate myself, not only in tournaments, but also practice weeks, day after day. There is no doubt that it was more difficult) than it was throughout my career. ”
In Miami, as in Melbourne, Djokovic showed that when he is in his game, he is still the force to count on when he reached the finals without dropping a file and to go down only in two tiebreaks with an inspired mensikIt did not help his eye infection. Such weeks, when things are going well, is enough to convince him that he can still win the biggest titles.
“The show I had in Miami … When I play like this, of course, gives me more inspiration to move to continue,” he said. “They just feel great on the pitch when you hit the ball well and win matches. It is clear that when you start losing early tournaments, that is, when you ask (yourself). More questions, voice that brings doubts and conversations, whether you should continue and how much and like this.”
“I’M Glad That I Found, At Least In Miami, That Joy on the Court, And I Feel The Performance Level. So Let’s See I Fit I Can Carry That Into. Really High for the Results here.
WITH Andy Murray After a rest from the coaching duties to the accompaniment of Djokovic in Indian Wells and Miami, his brother Marko joined the world 5 this week in Monte Carlo. Djokovic He starts his title offer against Alejandro Tal Chile who upset him at the Italian open last year.
And although his motivation could sometimes be rejected in the last year, it seems that there is no immediate retirement plans in the shocks. Asked if his 100. The ATP Tour would match the record 25.
“No, I don’t think so,” he said. “You never know. We’ll see. Look what the future brings.
It seems that voices have calmed down so far. “For some other things, not so much,” Djokovic said. “But for tennis, we are currently under good conditions.”
