A well-rested Novak Djokovic is once again in Paris to extend his Rolex Paris Masters 1000 count to 7. However, the Serb has revealed that he know prioritizes family over the match-court and wins.
Djokovic has not played match since his Davis Cup appearance for Serbia on Sep 16 a few days after earning a fourth US Open crown at Flushing Meadows. With no participation at a tour-level event since beating Carlos Alcaraz in Cincinnati Masters final back in August, this will be the 24-time major champion’s first ATP tourney since US Open as he pulled out of the whole Asian-swing on the circuit.
Djokovic’s participation in Paris will also mark as his second regular tour event appearance since losing to Holger Rune at the Rome Masters in May. The 36-year-old’s plans to shift all his attention on majors will certainly allow him to spend sufficient time with his family which he couldn’t do previously. He confirmed the changes in press conference ahead of his round match in Paris.
“As a father, I have learned that spending more time with children really grants you incredible satisfaction and beautiful emotions and things that you carry for a long time that define fatherhood and parenthood in a way. Just spending as much as possible quality time with my children,” he said.
“I have been modeling my schedule this year to my likings where I want to play, and I haven’t played many tournaments at all, I’ve got to spend more time with my family, and that was a beautiful thing.
“You know, because the rewards that you get in the relationship is something that is bigger than anything.”
Djokovic was also asked if he has settled the tennis’ never ending GOAT debate after cementing the US Open title to get two and four clear of Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer respectively. Despite having all the records to back up the claim, the World No. 1 was hesitant to declare himself unanimous GOAT of the game.
“No, I’m not going to say I am the greatest player of all times,” he added. “It’s not up to me to say things like that. I leave it up to others.
“Obviously I’m very proud that my greatest rival could say such things, but I leave this discussion to other people.
“I’m honored to be a tennis player who’s writing my own name in the history of tennis, and I’m glad to be at the top right now.
“That’s the most important thing for me. Then we can discuss at length about the whole history of tennis, but once my career is over we can do it.
“Right now I guess this is very interesting for you, for everyone, all of you who follow tennis.
“But as far as I’m concerned, that’s not a priority for me. I need to maintain, to focus myself on what is important for me right now.”
In a recent interview, Nadal asserted that securing the GOAT status was more of a Djokovic thing and never really mattered to him. However, the final comment made by Djokovic seems to negate the notion that the 24-time Grand Slam champion is merely motivated by his personal battle peers and rivals Federer and Nadal.