When Djokovic questioned everything in 2016: "I no longer felt the same passion for this sport"

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Jules Hypolite

le 12/11/2025 à 18h26

2 min to read

ATP Finals Djokovic Murray Querrey Wimbledon

Crowned in Melbourne and at Roland-Garros, Novak Djokovic seemed untouchable in 2016. Yet, the former world No. 1 experienced an unexpected fall. In a candid interview with Piers Morgan, he confided that he felt an "emptiness" and a profound mental fatigue after his surprise defeat at Wimbledon.

In 2016, Novak Djokovic lived through a season full of contrasts. At the summit of the men's tour after his sixth Australian Open and a first Roland-Garros title won a few months later, the Serb experienced a difficult second half of the season.

At Wimbledon, where he entered as the double defending champion and heavy favorite to retain his title, Djokovic was surprised by Sam Querrey as early as the third round. A match during which he admitted to feeling "an emptiness," a feeling that led him to take a break away from the tour.

In an interview with Piers Morgan, the record holder for Grand Slam titles discussed this period and the loss of the world No. 1 spot to Andy Murray:

"My brain had had enough, I needed rest. I lost that match (against Querrey) and I took a break, I skipped a few tournaments. I returned to competition at the US Open. It's the year Murray finished as world No. 1 by beating me in the final of the Masters at the O2 Arena.

Even though I had lost a considerable lead in the rankings, everyone thought it would be easy for me to secure that spot. But he was on a run of four or five tournaments won in a row. I didn't care about finishing first or not. I just wanted to rediscover the love and passion for this sport, because I had lost them."