Brand new winner of his 10th Australian Open by beating Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas in the final, the Serbian Novak Djokovic He said this Sunday that he is “motivated” to win as many Grand Slam titles as possible after equaling Rafael Nadal’s men’s record with 22.
What emotions did you feel after the victory?
A huge pride and satisfaction. When I have gone to my box, I have emotionally collapsed, I have been shattered especially with my mother and my brother, when I have given them a hug. Until that moment, I wasn’t allowed to be distracted by things off the court, dealing with my injury, things outside of the sport that could disturb my concentration on the game. It has required an enormous amount of mental energy to stay focused, take things day by day and see how far I could go. If I throw back two and a half weeks, I didn’t believe in my options because of the way my leg felt. It was just a matter of survival in each match, of trying to get it to the next round.
How much of these emotions were linked to what happened last year (deportation) and the injury? Is it a combination of everything?
It is. Going back to Australia is something I really wanted because I feel great here. My results attest to this. I really wanted to go back, I wanted to play. But of course, considering last year’s event, I was a bit nervous about going back to Australia, I didn’t know how people were going to receive me. But overall it was a very positive experience. Of course things happened, also the incident of the last few days with my father, which were not easy for me to manage, especially in the final phase of the Grand Slam. But I had to contain it. That’s why I said in the first question that it took an enormous amount of mental and emotional energy to stay focused.
Does it motivate you to end your career with more Grand Slams than anyone else? Also more than Serena and Margaret Court (who are 23 and 24)?
Of course I am motivated to win as many Grand Slams as possible. At this stage of my career, these trophies are the biggest emotional factor that I’m still competing for. It is the case without a doubt. I have never liked comparing myself to others but of course it is a privilege to be part of the discussion of one of the best tennis players of all time. If people see me like that, it’s very flattering because I put all my effort and energy into trying more Grand Slams than anyone else. I still have a lot of motivation. Let’s see how far it gets me. But I don’t want to stop here.
Two nights ago he said he wanted his father to be in the stands for the final. This has not happened. Can you explain why she didn’t show up in the end?
I thought that things would have calmed down at the media level, but it did not happen. We both agreed that it was probably for the best that she wasn’t there. That hurts me and him a lot, because these are very special and unique moments. Who knows if they will repeat themselves. So it was not easy for him. I saw him after the game. He wasn’t in the best of spirits, though he was quite happy to hug me and everything. I could see that he was a little sad. I am also sad that he was not there, in the stands. But he was for the whole tournament, so he’s fine. In the end we had a happy ending. (D)
Source: Eluniverso
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