Djokovic: "Striving to be the best version of myself is a kind of life motto for me"
For twenty years, Novak Djokovic has significantly shaped tennis history. With 24 Grand Slam titles among his career achievements, the Serbian player further cemented his legacy (even if he didn’t need to) last summer by winning the Olympic Games.
Now, Djokovic—who will turn 38 in a few days—has claimed every major title in the sport, reigniting the GOAT debate in recent years, where he is constantly compared to his two Big 3 rivals, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.
In an interview with Business Traveller USA, the Serbian legend discussed his mindset during competition before addressing the possibility of retirement in the coming months.
For now, Djokovic doesn’t feel ready to stop and still hopes, among other things, to soon win his 100th title (he currently stands at 99).
"Since I was very young, tennis has occupied most of my life. I’ve dedicated my mental, physical, and emotional energy to it, and I’ve been rewarded for it. There’s a quote I heard a few years ago that I really love: ‘Your greatest opponent is always the person you were yesterday.’
Striving to be the best version of myself is a kind of life motto for me. Keeping an open and curious mind, surrounding myself with the right people, and taking nothing for granted. Obviously, it’s harder for me today to produce the results I had when I was at my peak.
That doesn’t mean I can never reach that level again. But greatness changes shape, and that’s because you’re a different person every year, every month, every week.
Tennis is a sport where you need to maintain this mentality and culture of ‘It’s never enough.’ Because once it is enough, it truly is—and you have to put the racket aside. And I still don’t feel like I’m in that situation at the moment," explained the Serbian champion.
